{Book Review} Real Murders Aurora Teagarden Book 1

 

Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden, #1) By Charlaine Harris

 

I had tried to read Harris' Vampire series and could not make it through it, and I am normally a huge fan of the paranormal. I wanted to give her a second shot and picked up this series as the second attempt for her. I am thrilled that I chose to give her a go again.

Aurora Teagarden might seem like a dull an uninteresting girl at first but that is just at first glance. Simple is not always what it seems. First she is in a group that studies real murders that have taken place and at said event a murder actually takes place. Sorry I just do not find that boring. I also do not find boring the fact that somehow she always gets drug into the middle of everything that could go wrong in the middle of this book.

She is also described, or at least she describes herself this way, as sorta drab and just plain, but she gets attention from the gentlemen, so she has to have something going on!

This book made me very happy that I decided to leave the world of paranormal and YA for awhile and head over to mystery. I will be finishing this series!!

P.S. The audiobook for this is also OUTSTANDING!!!

A Blade of Summer Grass {Book Review}

A Blade of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn

**spoiler alerts and for adults** 

The first few chapters of this book I really wanted to smack the main character. She struck me as a stuck up, thought she deserved everything, floozy!!!! She would do something that made me think she was going to be nice, and then bam, she would say something crappy again! For some reason she was all for agreeing that other women getting smacked around by their husbands were ok, or rather that she could see why some of them were done that why and even stated she would do that to them to. That really bothered me. Same of her statements about how you should let men "think they are treating you" during sex bothered me as well. 
I know this might have been all to prove what kind of person the character was and what they wanted her to become I just was not thrilled about it.
 
I will say that she did grow on me and by the end of the book I think that her thoughts about a lot of things had changed and she may have not felt the same as the things she said in the beginning. I Did really enjoy the old world of Africa that was set up and laid out for us in the book and brought before us. The Author did an amazing job of portraying how things were in that era and in that corner of the world at the time, based on all that we know. I felt like I was actually there from her world building and description. I will say that I loved her side characters more than her main couple. I wish there had been more areas with a few of them but maybe there will be more in other books

New Comic Picks 7/9

Normally I have been trying to suggest comics that would be acceptable for a younger audience, as well as whoever to read. This week there were not but maybe one of two that came out that were, in my opinion, suitable for the little geeklings in our lives. There were however several AMAZING comics this week that I felt deserved being mentioned and shared. Comics come out on Wednesday in the stores locally and online and that is why you will see that the header of this post has that date, however it is Saturday. I had to have time to read them to give an honest opinion on them!

If you are someone that enjoys picking them up and reading them on your e-reader then I say head over to Comixology otherwise, if you are like me and still prefer the good ol' paper copy and want to pick them up please support your local comic book shop. If you are one of my local readers please be sure to stop by and visit our awesomely favorite store Empire Comics, where Batman Day is coming up on the 26th of this month!

Now to get down to what we are here for this weeks favorites:

ADULT THEMED FAVES:

Grayson (2014-) #1 ($2.99)

Dick Grayson: former sidekick, former super hero, former dead man, and now, agent of Spyral. Nightwing is no more. Now, there is only Grayson. 

 

 

Why Did I like this one? 

 

For once Dick Grayson gets all the glory by himself and not as a masked crusader!  I have always been his fan since he was just Robin but HELLO it is about time, I mean come on, am I right? I will say that the downfall to this issue; ads and lots of them. While it did make me excited for a new Teen Titans I do not like flipping through to get another ad on the other side as well!! Overall I cannot wait for the second installment and I give it an 8 out of 10! 

 

Captain Marvel (2014-) #5 ($3.99)

Ever since she set off on her latest "adventure," Carol Danvers has had her butt handed to her at every turn. She's done with that nonsense. Let's start flipping some tables, shall we? Tic, the Rocket Girl, and Jackie, the Warlord, are getting in on the "Oh no you didn't!" action too!

 

 Why Did I love this one? 

If you follow my Facebook or my Twitter at all then you know that I love Ms. Marvel. Do not let the title of this one fool you and DO pay attention to the cover!!! This one is all about her!! Carol aka Ms. Marvel is kicking butt and taking names later. She is awesome and needs her credit. She does not get enough, that darn Wonder Woman is always talked about!!! (rolls eyes) I totally give this one a 9/10 only because I am not digging aspects of the costume. I am a fan of the older styles. That is just me though!!! 

ALL AGE THEMED FAVES:

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #20 ($3.99)

The climactic conclusion to "Reflections" is here! The fate of two Equestrias hangs in the balance as our ponies scramble to help their new allies. It will take an unexpected sacrifice to save day... but from whom? 

 

 
Why Did I like this one?

I liked this one because if you have been following this series at all then you know that it has been leading up to this and you have been waiting to see what happens. If you are like me then you have not been patient about it at all either. I also like that they are all age appropriate and as a mamma this is a BIG deal to me. My little geekling is a Brony and we watch the show and read the comics faithfully together. There are several covers to this one. We chose the one you see above. Based on my reaction and my son we together give this issue a 9/10.

Adventure Time: Banana Guard Academy #1 ($3.99)

WHY BOOM! LOVES IT: Not only are the Banana Guards hilarious as the Candy Kingdom's protectors, but this series is written by Kent Osborne, head writer of the ADVENTURE TIME show. Kent is responsible for some of our favorite episodes of the show and we're thrilled to have him write his first comic book. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: If you love ADVENTURE TIME, you can't get beat a comic series written by one of the show's writers and the creator of Root Beer Guy! Also great if you like bananas. WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Turns out that there is a lot to being a Banana Guard but being a Banana is not mandatory. This crazy adventure follows Root Beer Guy as he starts his search for new recruits among Ooo's citizens. Only the best will do in his quest to protect the Candy Kingdom! 

 

 Why Did I like this one?

 First off let me start by saying this rating and review of this particular issue is done by my son and I am typing it for him, although I am sure he would be just fine to type it himself. (I cannot have him accidentally deleting my entire blog now can I?) K says "I was impressed with this issue and thought that it was very funny". I asked him if he had a favorite part and he said he did but I could not tell you what it is because you need to go and buy it and read it yourselves. LOL. He says from 1 to 10 he gives it a 100 thousand!!!!! :/

 

Mom's New Comic Picks 6/17

Scanning the new comics that come out this week I saw a few that as a Mom, I thought would be good to suggest to get for the kiddos. This would be a good way to introduce comics to them and not be worried about the content.

While yes, Batman, and others are amazing they are not always a great read for some of those younger readers, like mine!!  Here are the ones that I think you should give a go this week:

Pick them up at your local comic book store like Empire Comics or find a place online like ComiXology and get them digitally!!

Dexter's Laboratory #3 ($3.99)

Dexter has located his missing sister in an alternate DEEmension...in her own mind! A world of pink clouds, unicorns, and fantasy, but more importantly...a world without science! Unable to use his inventions in this imaginary land, can Dexter find a way to convince his sister to return home and make things right again? Or will she keep her brother prisoner from ever returning back to his lab? The reign of Princess Dee Dee has begun! 

Sonic the Hedgehog #261 ($2.99)

Dive into the action in "Waves of Change" Part Two! Sonic, Amy, and Rotor -- in the deep sea and in deeper trouble! When their new friend Coral has run afoul of her government, will Sonic and the Freedom Fighters stand by her side? Or will they risk becoming fugitives? Then, in "The Light in the Dark," Sally's simple raiding plans take a turn for the worse! Featuring new cover art from Sonic superstar Ben Bates! 

Angry Birds Mini-Comic #1 ($.99)

Angry Birds, the world's most popular mobile game franchise, makes it's comic book debut! Featuring the fun-filled, action packed story, "Bomb Hiccups" by Jeff Parker and Paco Rodriques, this comic is sure to please! Special bonus- this issue features an additional story for almost twice the content! Special bonus- this issue features an additional story for almost twice the content!

Book Review: Blaze by Jason Woodham

Blaze (The High-Born Epic)

Synopsis: 

 In the fenced-in community of Foxx Hole lives Harold; his Aunt Nean; his little cousins, Cooper and Ollie; his girlfriend, Sarah, and her family. The village is governed by the seemingly generous Colonel Foxx who requires the townspeople to attend weekly meetings where they are taught the lessons of how genetically-engineered soldiers saved humanity from extinction. But a brush with death forever alters Harold's life as he suddenly and inexplicably develops amazing powers. His strength and reflexes grow to frightening proportions and he finds that he has the ability to both create and control fire. In addition to these revelations, Harold finds that he can instantly move across short distances just by concentrating. As he discovers the limits of his physcial powers, he begins to realize that his intelligence in mysteriously increasing as well. Soon, Colonel Foxx and the rest of the High-Born military show their true colors and Harold realizes that he is the only one who has the power to balance the scales. Then, he embarks on a mission that leads him to find someone else eerily similar to him, yet different as well. But will it be enough to stop an army of perfect soldiers equipped with an arsenal of the most advanced technology the world has ever seen?

 

Mom's A Nerd Review:

 I went into this book thinking...
"Ok, yeah this could be good. Post apocalyptic. Let's see."

Let me say...
"OH WE NEED MORE FROM MR. WOODHAM!!!"

This was a refreshing twist to the post apocalyptic world that most all the other books that have been thrown our way recently have not given us. From the world building to the character building you will not be displeased. Just as you think the book is about to go one way then, BAM, it takes you another. There is sci-fi and romance (but not mushy) and there is so much for everyone here. Even if this sounds like something that you might not normally pick up I urge you to take a chance and give it a go. I think that you will be oh so glad that you listened to me and my review and purchased the book. I highly recommend this book for various ages.

 

What happend to school supplies?

Remember the days that going to pick out school supplies was the most awesome event ever? You could get those neato Lisa Frank folders, or grab an awesome Chicago Bears one?? It was the best thing to get to personalize and pick out folders and notebooks and more. You got to decide which crayons to get Rose Art or Crayola? You even got to decide what kind of paper to use, wide rule or college rule?

Well, after shopping for my 1st grader this weekend he and I were both very disappointed. Does he have the Ninja Turtles or the Chima stuff he wanted, NO. It is not because I would not let him. It was all thanks to a lovely piece of paper from the school which specified what brands and items to get as well as the folders. We have plain blue plastic, yes plastic not paper, folder that we are not allowed to put his name or anything on. We have a plain pencil box that is also not allowed to have his name on it. We had to have Crayola crayons and markers, which while I prefer them what if I wanted a choice. What ever happened to a kid getting to be excited about going back to school? Education is a great thing, really it is the key and the backbone to our kids futures and is what helps them become smart enough to one day realize that they have to take care of us as parents when we get old and gray. Who am I kidding, I am already graying!! Anyway, my point is, let them express themselves. Let them want to come to school. Some kids do not want to be there and if something like picking out a Chima folder will help them want to go, then by all means let them!!!

Book Review: Blue is for Nightmares

I picked up this book at a new local store based on an employee's recommendation. At first, I was hesitant, while I do enjoy YA books I was afraid that it would be cheesy with her being a "witch", and with them all being so young.

I am glad that I grabbed this book and was not disappointed at all. I LOVED the supernatural aspect, as that is my favorite go to in books, but it was believable and I could totally picture everything that happened. I will have to say that while I enjoyed the book, I totally had the "stalker" figured out very quickly. I do wish that it would have been more of a guess for me on who it was. I also would have liked to have a little more detail on the "stalker" character. There was so much more that could have been explained about him.

My favorite character, Amber, was actually a side character in the book, and she was just too funny.

Overall, I enjoyed this book enough to go back to the store and pick up book number two in this series and being it almost immediately. If you enjoy YA I would give this a go. 

Check it out on Amazon!!  

I post lots of reviews on Goodreads as well. Be sure to head on over there, I accept friends requests there!