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Rebecca Anderson’s popcorn shop is under renovation, which is how she finds a mysterious diary in the kitchen’s wall. She is trying to figure out who the writer was when someone dies after eating her popcorn – popcorn that was poisoned. Her attempts to clear her reputation and save her business end with her in prison for impeding a police investigation. What’s going on? Will Rebecca get out of jail?

This book has a unique first half as we get flashbacks to what landed Rebecca in jail. It absolutely works; I was engaged the entire way through and the plot comes together perfectly at the end. There’s some fun humor, although a couple of scenes that were supposed to be funny irritated me. Likewise, I didn’t feel the repercussions of the jail plot twist were adequately dealt with. We didn’t see quite as much of the series regulars, but I did enjoy what we saw. And the new characters were wonderful.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-assault-and-buttery-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Struck By Lightning
Struck By Lightning
Chris Colfer | 2012 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A good quick read
Carson Phillips is a high school senior with big dreams. He is an outcast who is disliked by most of his peers. This becomes a problem when he decides to create a literary magazine in hopes of getting accepted into the college of his dreams. To get the submissions he needs from other students he blackmails those around him.
Carson is a main character that you will either love or hate. The book is wrote as his diary entries, so the reader gets an inside look at his life. This makes it hard to dislike him despite his questionable moral choices. He is a sarcastic and funny character who often times critical about high school life. He does experience some personal growth throughout the book, and the reader can't help but cheer for his success.
The other characters make for an entertaining cast. Many of them depict stereotypes, but they all prove to be more complicated than they first appear. This book isn't super long so it's a good weekend read. If you like stories about high school under dogs chasing there dreams then you should definitely pick this up.
  
I Can Handle It! (Mindful Mantra #1)
I Can Handle It! (Mindful Mantra #1)
Laurie Wright | 2016 | Children, Health & Fitness
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I Love Hedgehogs! (Okay now that I have that out of my system…)
Sebastien is a typical kid dreaming up some funny ideas of how he could accomplish things. It brought to mind the adage “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again." I really enjoyed Laurie Wrights’s style of writing and I can see my classroom of kids loving how it speaks their language. The illustrations also added another element of cuteness and engagement geared towards kids. From Sebastien’s best friend (who is a Hedgehog) to all the creative ways he thinks of ways to handle situations Laurie Wright emphasizes that kids can do things and she leads them to some really helpful ways to process how to do them.

I think that this book is one every kid needs to read and grasp the concepts of. It helps take “I Can’t” out of their dictionaries and replaces it with “I Can Handle It." I HIGHLY recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
Pip Bartlett&#039;s Guide to Unicorn Training
Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training
Jackson Pearce | 2017 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the amazing Pip Bartlett series. This time, Pip and her best friend, Tomas, find themselves at a magical creature show, which includes an unicorn exhibition. And things are personal, as one of the unicorns being shown is their beloved Regent Maximus, who is, of course, terrified of performing.

I've been reading these stories to my daughters, eight-year-old twins, and they are some of our all-time favorites. They love spunky Pip, who can talk to magical creatures; Tomas, who is allergic to all magical creatures; Pip's aunt and cousin; and all the adventures they go on. Every book has illustrations from Jeffrey Higgleston's Guide to Magical Creatures--Pip's bible, so to speak, which she adds to every time she encounters a new creature. They love the pictures and all the amazing imaginary creatures--even creating their own entries. I enjoy how the book brings out their creativity and that it's one that holds all of our attention. The stories are sweet and funny, focusing on family and friendship, but with lots of fascinating creatures and escapades too. What's not to love?
  
Past Perfect Life
Past Perfect Life
Elizabeth Eulberg | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ally Smith has a happy life in Wisconsin with her dad and her friends. Her only worry is her college applications, but that’s normal. But when Ally officially filed them, they send up a red flag due to her social security number. It seems that Ally Smith isn’t Ally Smith. Her real name is Amanda, and now her happy life is no more. Is her whole life a lie? And what’s going to happen now?

If you’re looking for a captivating and emotional read, look no further than PAST PERFECT LIFE! I won this book via a LibraryThing giveaway, and it was so enjoyable! I found this to be a totally mesmerizing book. If I could have, I would have stayed up all night and read it in one sitting (believe me, I tried. Darn responsibilities.). Ally’s voice was unique, sweet, and just so well-done. The book has a teen style, but this Mama couldn’t stop reading. I loved that it was character-driven yet there was almost a tinge of mystery. It’s emotional, funny, romantic, and completely compelling! Highly recommend! 4 stars.
  
Chasing Rabbits (The Underground #1)
Chasing Rabbits (The Underground #1)
Erin Bedford | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
88 of 200
Kindle
Chasing Rabbits ( underground book 1)
By Erin Bedford

 
Alice was wrong. Wonderland wasn't so wonderful after all.

Kat never expected to be back in her hometown, but when house sitting turns into a mad rabbit chase, Kat finds herself with a whole new set of problems.

A two-headed bird with a Game of Thrones obsession, a party full of tea addicts, and a Cheshire Cat who could seduce the pants off her grandma? And if the citizens weren't bad enough, their prince was off his rocker.

This wasn't your run of the mill Wonderland. This was the fae world, where rules are rules, and some things are exactly as they seem.


I found myself a few times during this book stopping and asking myself wtf am I reading. It got a little confusing in parts to. I have changed my stars from 2 to 3 and back a few times as I just can’t make my mind up! I feel like I’ve smoked something funny after reading it lol. I think it’s intrigued me enough to continue on to book 2!