Sheila's Reads

The morning after a party attended at her country store, Robbie goes down to begin her day and discovers the body of Erica, the party's honoree. She investigates on her own but lets the cops know what she finds. Robbie has theories. Some more farfetched than others. Other things are also happening in town. Robbie has a list of suspects but cannot narrow it down. Who did it? Also, what is that tool she found?

I love these characters. They are like a family almost (probably get along better than some.) Robbie's romance has hit the rocks. I feel bad for her. Not so sure what I feel towards Jim right now. I only hope there is no collateral damage from it. I'm getting to like Buck. He's okay. Wanda's rough around the edges. The story was good. I am no detective. Until it plays out at the end, I did not know who I was looking at for the murder. Am looking forward to reading the next book.

This is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph can interpret dreams. When he interprets dreams about his family, his brothers hate him. They hate him more because he is their father's favorite. When Joseph comes to bring them food, they plot to kill him but decide to sell him to merchants who are traveling past them. Joseph ends up in Egypt, a servant to Potipher. He gets thrown into jail where he interprets dreams for the other prisoners. His ability is brought to the attention of Pharoah who has him removed from jail to interpret his dreams. He becomes a ruler of Egypt.

This is one of my favorite Bible stories but so much was missing from this version. Though it is for children, they can understand the whole story and too much was missing in this book that it felt like I was walking into the middle of the story. I felt that I was missing the story. It also ended abruptly so I got no closure of when Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine. Children may need a little explanation, but they know when things are left out. I'd like to see the author rewrite this book and put the whole story of Joseph and his coat and his brothers. The illustrations are beautiful, and they deserve the full story also.

Derek Brundle loves Christmas. All of a sudden Munkle, a member of S.E.S (Special Elf Service) appears at his bedroom window knocking to be let in. Derek lets her in, and she tells him she needs his help. Derek is baffled. How can he help her? He's only seven years old. Turns out he is needed for a special mission as Santa is missing. Why was Derek chosen for the mission? Will they be able to find Santa?

I enjoyed this story. I laughed as Derek and the elves go searching for Santa. Seems like there are things Derek does not know about his life and finds out from the elves. Also, he learns things about Santa that debunks what we have grown up knowing. Naturally, there is a villain--a truly hiss-worthy villain but I know Derek has the tools (and the brains) to defeat the villain and his minions.

This is a great story for the Christmas season. It is fresh and imaginative. Your elementary school kids will enjoy it and so will you. It will probably become a family tradition to read each year.

Grace ignores a new girl at school. That night her parents tell her they are moving. She becomes the new girl at school. Grace sees a tambourine on the shelf at school going to grab it the same time a boy grabs it. The teacher intervenes but Grace says she wants to do something quiet. The next day she and the boy share the tambourine and become friends.

I enjoyed this book. It shows how one day Grace ignores someone, not meaning to be mean, but because she was interested in the tambourine and didn't want to share. Grace understood only after becoming the new girl how the other girl felt. She learned how to make new friends and how sharing helps with that.

I liked the rhyming of the story. It was fun. The illustrations were good. This is good for early readers as well as toddlers.

Cherry owns a club that caters to wealthy lesbians. They come for a night of fun. Cherry watches over her club and clientele with an experienced eye so there are no complaints. She arranges partners and parties for them.

I liked this book. It introduces the characters who work for and with Cherry. It also sets up the series. The rendezvous are hot! I liked the graphicness of what happens in the club. This time Cherry has arranged for a woman's birthday surprise by her friends as well as an 18th birthday party for the stepdaughter of a long-time and important client. Cherry has hired a new dancer and has a request to join the club. The story is good bedtime reading and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Baby Tumbleweed and Little Sparrow are small when they are born. Their fathers are not sure if the babies will grow up to be big and strong. Their mothers reassure them all that they will grow. Tiny Tumbleweed grows and roots herself. She's not as big as her brothers and sisters but she's okay. Little Sparrow also grows, just not as big as his siblings, but his father teaches him how to strengthen his wings and legs. One day he is out when a storm arrives. He sees Tiny Tumbleweed below him. Can he make it to her for shelter before the storm hurts him? Can she help him?

I liked this story. I loved the illustrations. They are gorgeous. I liked that Tiny Tumbleweed and Little Sparrow both grew up under similar circumstances. I also appreciated that they were able to do what they needed to do.

I liked the fun facts about tumbleweeds and sparrows at the end of the book as well as the questions about the book. This is good for toddlers and early readers. It is designed for third graders but your 4-8 year old will enjoy it.

Harry is a happy mouse because he helps others. On his walk, he helps a frog. The frog asks how he can repay him, and Harry tells him to help someone else. The frog does and helping others moves through the ones who have helped another. Seeing how it worked through others makes Harry happy.

I liked this story. I liked how Harry and each one after him helped someone else. I liked how they felt after helping. It makes a circle and Harry's wife shows him how his helping one animal then moved through the other animals. This story was fun. It rhymes. Your toddlers will enjoy the story and the illustrations. I look forward to more of Harry.

Four of Aesop's Fables starring the lion, the mouse, the ox(en), the ant, the grasshopper, and the frog.  I liked that the story is first followed by the adage it illustrates.  These are good stories and lessons to learn.  Your toddlers will enjoy them as well as your early readers.

Grandpa Mudcake wants a haircut, but Grandma Mudcake says she is too old to give him one, so he has to go out and get a haircut. Grandpa refuses and his hair grows and grows. Finally, he cannot take it anymore, so he goes to find a barber. He tells Bazil the Barber want he wants but Bazil does not speak English very well and Grandpa falls asleep. What a haircut he gets! But is it what he wanted? What happens when Grandpa wakes up?

I enjoyed this story. It makes me want to read more of the series. Grandpa is a grump and Grandma does not seem to be any different. I loved his haircut. I also liked that Grandpa wanted the lollipop at the end of the haircut. This is a perfect book for your early readers. They can laugh over Grandpa's haircut and style.

Chantal comes for a job interview with Jared, but she is mistaken that it is for a personal assistant not an executive assistant. Jared has been a jerk to his employees which is why he is looking for a new executive assistant. He is also instantly smitten with Chantel and promised to find her a job. The job he offers is that of mistress. Will she accept?

I enjoyed this story. I really liked Chantel. She was smart and wanted to be a writer but knew she needed a job to bring in money until she sold a book. Jared started out as a jerk, but Chantal smooths his edges and temper. He becomes human with her. The story moves fast but suspend belief and enjoy Chantal and Jared's interactions. They are good for each other.

Sabrina is suspended from the police force after having an affair with a suspect. Pending an investigation, she decides to go to Las Vegas for a vacation. While there, she gets into trouble and is rescued by Kyle in a dark alley. He takes her to his place. She is unlike anyone he has previously met. She feels the same about him. It has only been a few days. Could they be in love?

I enjoyed this story. I did not know it was the beginning of a series. You can end it here because it is a happy ending, but I want to know more. I liked Sabrina and Kyle. She is smart and figures out what Kyle is. He has to call his Sire to figure out why he feels this way and why certain things are happening. I found it interesting. But he is holding secrets. Now I need to know how he tells her. I look forward to more of the series.

Lula wants to open a restaurant but her aunts, who are witches, are teaching her to make potions not delicious food. Lula decides to show them she will do good food, not potions. Does she succeed?

I enjoyed this book. It was fun as Lula studied cookbooks while her aunts tried to teach her potions. Eventually one aunt tries Lula's "potion" and decides it is good. The rest of the town smells it and feels the same way. It was fun what they would do to get Lula's food.

Your little one will enjoy this. I look forward to more from this author.