M.A. Kropp: Writer, Blogger, GeekGirl. My Life. My Words. My Way.
If you watch the Food Network at all (we do- a lot!), you are probably familiar with the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. This book is her memoir, a story of a life that wasn't always easy (even though she makes everything look like it's a breeze), and of the choices, planned and unplanned, that shaped … Continue reading Friday Review: Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Another set of mini-reviews of books I've read. Looking at the shrinking list of books to be added here, it looks like this idea of mini-reviews for most of them is doing what I wanted it to. The Dark Thorn (Annwn Cycle #1) by Shawn Speakman. Speakman has been the webmaster for fantasy author Terry … Continue reading Friday Reviews: A Few More Books I’ve Read
My rating: 2 of 5 starsFirst book of the year that I DNF'd. It sounded good- supernatural, set in Scotland, young women disappearing and apparently murdered, lots of moody, sinister setting- all things that should have been appealing.The problem was, it was just so terribly slow reading. Lots of drawn out detail and mood-setting that … Continue reading Friday Review: The Lady in the Loch by Elizabeth Anne Scarborough
My rating: 5 of 5 starsCute children's book about a little dragon named Ember. Dragons love to hoard gold and use their fearsome fiery breath and frightening roar to collect it from terrified villagers. But Ember's roar is more like a sneeze and his fire-breathing is more "Awww" than frightening. Ember fears he will never … Continue reading Friday Review: The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz
My rating: 3 of 5 starsJayanthi is the adopted child of alloy parents. Alloys are genetically derived descendants of humans and are the governing species on a ruined Earth. Alloys believe humans are inherently destructive and should be kept confined to Earth, where they can live and create, but not have the freedom to roam … Continue reading Friday Review: Meru (The Alloy Era #1) by S.B. Divya
My rating: 4 of 5 starsEvie Addams and her daughter, Lilianna, are living a quiet life in small-town Eden Valley. Evie is a single mother with three best friends as her support system. But things are about to get strange when Evie starts to manifest a bit of supernatural shoplifting, Lily tries to summon a … Continue reading Raising A Demon by Amy Cissell
My rating: 4 of 5 starsI'm a Star Trek fan. I'll just admit that now. And The Next Generation is still a favorite of all the spin-offs from the original series. And I know Doranna Durgin can write a pretty darned good story. So, I was not surprised when I enjoyed this one.It's a fairly … Continue reading Friday Review: Tooth and Claw by Doranna Durgin
My rating: 4 of 5 starsIn this novel that evokes the feeling and environment of the Tang Dynasty of 8th century China, we meet Shen Tai, son of one of the greatest generals serving the Emperor. He has spent the last two years honoring the spirits of the dead of both sides of his father's … Continue reading Friday Review: Under Heaven (Under Heaven #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the sequel to Wendig's 2019 "Wanderers". "Wayward" takes place five years after the events of the first book, and we find Benji, Marcy, Shana, and the rest of the sleepwalkers and shepherds living in Ouray, CO, the town that they were led to for safety from the global … Continue reading Friday Review: Wayward (Wanderers #2) by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is an interesting paranormal historical fantasy. It is set in a Victorian England in the time of Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper. Psychic powers are real, and it is widely accepted that most people possess some form of vril (the term here for those powers). Most even believe … Continue reading Friday Review: Questionable Minds by Fraser Sherman
And So On... 