Warriors: Thunder And Shadow (A Vision Of Shadows 2) By Erin Hunter [Book Review]

February 16, 2019February 11, 2019 RachelLeave a comment

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I got this as a Christmas gift.

Summary:

Nearly a moon has passed since Alderpaw returned from his journey to SkyClan’s gorge, where he found the territory taken over by rogues. Now the same vicious cats that drove out SkyClan have traced Alderpaw’s path back to the lake… and ShadowClan may be the next to fall.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com The cover, as usual is very pretty. I really love the new designs and the cats look fairly realistic.

Plot | RachelPoli.com Like the title suggests, this book focuses on ThunderClan, as usual, and ShadowClan. The rogues that drove out SkyClan in the previous book have followed Alderpaw home and taken over ShadowClan as their own territory. All that’s left of ShadowClan is Rowanstar, Tawnypelt, and Tigerheart. All the other ShadowClan cats have remained in ShadowClan with the rogues for various reasons.

The stakes have truly raised in this book from the last. All the Clans are effected by these rogues, but ThunderClan and ShadowClan need to truly team up to defeat the threat – and this isn’t a typical team in this series. With that said, it was very well done.

Characters | RachelPoli.com All the characters are confused in this one and trying to figure out who to trust and what to do. My only complaint about the characters is that Twigpaw and Violetpaw’s relationship is starting to get annoying. The two of them are confused and want to be together but are making very different choices. Yet, they each seem to think that whatever the other decides is because of them. It doesn’t make any sense and they bicker over nonsense because of it.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

This particular book was very well written. Up until now we’ve always seen the books through the eyes of a ThunderClan cat. This book goes back and forth between ThunderClan and ShadowClan. We’re allowed to see how ShadowClan runs, their customs, and how they’re different and the same as ThunderClan. It’s made me want a separate Warriors series based in ShadowClan as well as one based in WindClan and one in RiverClan. I would truly love to see how the other Clans run.

Overall | RachelPoli.com This was a pretty intense book but there was a lot of arguing and misunderstandings which got old quick. I think this book was a set up for what’s to come later. I really enjoyed the way it was written though and seeing through the eyes of another Clan was eye-opening and very cool.

Warriors: Thunder and Shadow (A Vision of Shadows 2) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“Shared knowledge is never wasted.” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: Thunder and Shadow (A Vision of Shadows 2)

Buy the book:

Amazon

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Death By Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery 1) By Alex Erickson [Book Review]

February 9, 2019 RachelLeave a comment

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I bought a paperback copy at Barnes & Noble.

Summary:

When Krissy Hancock and her best friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore café in their new town of Pine Hills, they decide to call it “Death by Coffee,” after Krissy’s father’s most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits…

On their very first day of business, Brendon Lawyer huffily takes his coffee…to the grave. It seems he had a severe allergy to peanuts…but how could there have been nuts in his coffee? And who stole his emergency allergy medication?

Fortunately, Krissy’s love of puzzles and mysteries leads her not only to Officer Paul Dalton, but also to many of her new neighbors, who aren’t terribly upset that the book is closed on Brendon. But one of them is a killer, and Krissy needs to read between the lies if she wants to save her new store—and live to see how this story ends…

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com I like the book cover. It’s simple and showcases the bookstore, coffee, and the cat, Trouble. It’s nothing too special, but it’s nice to look at anyway.

First Thoughts | RachelPoli.com I love cozy mysteries and I enjoy the ones with food, books, and cats. This has all three so I wanted to give it a try.

Plot | RachelPoli.com Krissy and her friend open their own cafe bookstore called Death By Coffee. Krissy isn’t a fan of the name, but her friend insisted. Unfortunately, on their first open day, a customer comes in, orders a coffee, and then shortly dies. Krissy, for a while, believes she accidentally killed him, and is determined to figure out what happened to him.

This one isn’t too much different from your average cozy. A non-detective sticks her nose into everyone’s business and tries to solve the supposed murder. While the plot isn’t particularly different from what I’ve read before, it still wasn’t bad.

Characters | RachelPoli.com Krissy makes a fun protagonist. I enjoy her voice and tone as she tells the story. Her friend Vicki, Officer Paul, and her father are all great supporting characters as well. Even the witnesses and suspects were great. Each one had a unique voice and personality. The characters, overall, were well done.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

Death By Coffee is an easy read and flows well. The pacing was great and the mystery itself was easy to follow along. The mystery was told in a way that I was able to try to figure it out myself. I was right and then changed my mind and was wrong, and then ended up being right away. So it made me second guess myself and really think to figure it out. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but it wasn’t difficult to do so.

Overall | RachelPoli.com Death By Coffee was a fun read. It wasn’t much different than any other cozy mystery I’d read, but I still enjoyed it all the same. The characters and setting was fun and I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

Death By Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery 1) by Alex Erickson gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Buy the book:

Amazon

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision Of Shadows 1) By Erin Hunter [Book Review]

February 2, 2019January 24, 2019 RachelLeave a comment

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Book Review: Warriors: The Apprentice's Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1) by Erin Hunter | Middle Grade | Fantasy | Book Blogger | RachelPoli.com

I got a hardcover copy as a gift for Christmas.

Summary:

For many moons, ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan have lived in peace in their territories around the lake. But now they must decipher a mysterious prophecy—a message that will send one young medicine cat apprentice on a quest to determine the fate of all the warrior Clans.

Full of epic adventure and thrilling intrigue, the beginning of this fifth Warriors series is the perfect introduction for readers new to the Warriors world, while for dedicated fans, it’s a long-awaited return to the era of Bramblestar’s ThunderClan, after the events of Omen of the Stars.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com The covers for the series as a whole got a make-over. The covers all look gorgeous and even though these are “new” for earlier books, this is the first edition cover for A Vision of Shadows. I really like the colors and think the art style is beautiful.

First Thoughts | RachelPoli.com After reading Omen of the Stars, I hopped right into this series since I’m trying to catch up on the books before the next series comes out.

Plot | RachelPoli.com Alderpaw and his sister Sparkpaw are Bramblestar (the clan leader) and Squirrelflight’s kits. They’re made into apprentices at the beginning and begin their warrior training. Except, poor Alderpaw is a terrible “warrior.” His fighting skills are lacking and he has yet to catch a single piece of prey. He’s worried about what good he would be for his clan if he can’t defend it or catch food.

So, Bramblestar and the two medicine cats, Leafpool and Jayfeather, decide to make Alderpaw a medicine cat apprentice. Shortly after, he begins to have visions from StarClan and must go on a quest to help SkyClan from long ago.

I enjoyed this particular plot because it’s not every day you meet a protagonist who “can’t” do what they’re supposed to – at least, not in this series. I was certainly intrigued by his story and how he would fit into his clan throughout.

Characters | RachelPoli.com Alderpaw makes a great main character. He has a lot of anxiety and is very self-conscious which makes me feel bad for him and root for him all the more. His sister Sparkpaw is an interesting character, though she’s a bit of a know-it-all and can be a snob. I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship plays out throughout the next few books.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

The Apprentice’s Quest is an easy read and definitely a page-turner at some parts. The book is just shy under 300 pages, which is the typical length. The plot and characters are interesting enough and easy to follow along with.

Overall | RachelPoli.com This was a great beginning to a new series of Warriors books. I’m looking forward to reading book two and seeing where Alderpaw goes from here.

Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“And from the way you described Mistfeather, all ragged and skinny, the attack didn’t happen just yesterday.” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1)

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Abe Books

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Organizing My Books

January 29, 2019January 28, 2019 Rachel10 Comments

Since I’ve been doing so much organizing this month, I decided I should probably do my books as well. I have two bookshelves in the basement as well as two small “floating” shelves in my office. I typically have the floating shelves hold books I’m currently reading or what I’ll be reading next as well as writing craft books.

My bookshelves in the basement have been overflowing for a long time now and they’ve been needing some organization.

Except I didn’t actually organize my books. I took all my books off the two bookcases and went through the ones I want to keep and got rid of some others.

Every time I try to get rid of some books I end up donating a handful. I become too attached to the books and keep them all. Except, I’ve been in the mood to clear some things out and make room. I have too much stuff and things have been super cluttered lately. It’s driving me nuts.

It took me a half hour to go through my books and I ended up with six stacks of books that I’m getting rid of. Honestly, I didn’t seem to get too attached to any of the books either. I think I’m just “ready” to clean house.

The books I got rid of were old series like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars that I will never read again. I was into those books in middle school and a bit of high school and then grew out of them.

Other books I decided to donate were books I’ve had for years and I know I will never read. Then there were other books I let go of that I have read but know I will either never read again or I just didn’t care too much for the book and it no longer needs to be displayed on my shelf.

I always hate getting rid of things. I’m one of those people who believe inanimate objects have feelings and I feel bad donating them. Unless something is broken or in bad condition, I never throw anything away. I always donate it to my church’s Thrift Shop or other places that accept donations. I know someone will be able to use whatever I give away more so than how I’ve been using it… or not using it.

I was proud of myself for getting rid of so many books. Honestly, it didn’t free up that much space on my shelves, but it did make some sort of dent.

I definitely feel good about getting that done and out of the way. Now I need to go back to it at some point and actually organize the books by series or author or… something.

Have you gone through your books lately? Let me know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it around.

Thomas Wildus And The Book Of Sorrows By J. M. Bergen [Book Review]

January 26, 2019January 25, 2019 Rachel2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I received an eARC from the author and his publicist.

Summary:

Magic is real, Thomas. No matter what happens, always remember that magic is real.

Seven years have passed, and Thomas hasn’t forgotten. He hasn’t forgotten the blue of his dad’s eyes either, or the tickle of beard on his cheek as they hugged goodbye. Last moments with a parent are memorable, even if you don’t know that’s what you’re having at the time.

Now, with his 13th birthday rapidly approaching, Thomas’s search for magic is about to take a radical and unexpected turn. At an out-of-the-way shop filled with dusty leather books, a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes offers him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows. The price is high and the rules are strict, but there’s no way Thomas can resist the chance to look inside.

With the mysterious book guiding the way, a strange new world is revealed – a world in which Thomas has a name and destiny far more extraordinary than he ever imagined. But time is short. Even as Thomas uncovers his secret family history, enemies emerge, threatening to end his rise to power and destroy everything he holds dear.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com I think the cover is gorgeous. I enjoy the swirl of dark colors and it really emphasizes the magic portion of the book.

First Thoughts | RachelPoli.com I was approached by the author’s publicist. I enjoy middle grade novels and with it being about magic, I was more than happy to give it a try.

Plot | RachelPoli.com Thomas Wildus is living his normal pre-teen life – going to school and hanging with his friends. He lives with his mother and his father has been dead for quite some time. Thomas then comes across a strange bookstore and is given the Book of Sorrows. Then the story begins.

This was the classic beginning of a fantasy world where the protagonist finds their powers on their 13th birthday. Except, he didn’t really find his powers accidentally.

Overall, it was pretty well done. The way Thomas finds out about everything seems a bit cliche to me, but it was done well enough for the story that sets it aside from other books that got about that trope the same way.

Characters | RachelPoli.com I enjoyed all the characters in this one. Thomas made a great protagonist and his friend Enrique was highly amusing. The two of them definitely acted like middle-grade kids, which was fun to read.

All the supporting characters – Huxley, Adelia, Professor Reiley, Thomas’s mom, etc. – were all great too. Each character had their own unique voice and each one had a purpose and seemed to have enough equal light in the spotlight.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

This book is about 350 pages long. It can be a quick read, but for me, I had trouble getting through the beginning. I felt the pacing was slow to start and the story didn’t really start until 100-150 pages into the book. There was a lot of build up, which wasn’t necessarily not needed, but I felt it could have been done in a different way.

Then, when the action did start, I felt it went along pretty fast because, at that point, there was only half of the book left. Thomas and Enrique were training for about two weeks before they confronted Arius and, while they trained, Arius seemed to be finding and collecting crystals left and right. It was too fast for the stakes to get high and tension to build.

Other than pacing, the book was easy to read and well written overall. The story was interesting once the magic really began.

Overall | RachelPoli.com Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows is a pretty good read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot is definitely intriguing enough. The pacing was the biggest issue for me and because of that, I wasn’t able to get into the story as much as I would have liked. However, I’m still interested enough to read book two when that comes out.

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen gets…
3 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“I’m just trying to keep you from embarrassing yourself. It’s not easy, you know.” -J.M. Bergen, Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows

Buy the book:

Amazon

About J.M. Bergen

J.M. Bergen | Author | Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows | Middle Grade, Fantasy | RachelPoli.com A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…

J.M. Bergen graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in creative writing and a minor in business. Over the years his writing has appeared in a variety of publications under a variety of pen names, and though his favorite stories are about magic and adventure, his best-known work to date has been non-fiction.

J.M.’s debut series originally started as a bedtime story for his oldest son. The story turned into a saga, and one book turned into five. The first book in the series, Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows, is scheduled for release in February 2019. The second, Thomas Wildus and The Wizard of Sumeria, will be published in late 2019, with the remainder of the series released before the end of 2021.

When J.M. isn’t working on the Thomas Wildus books, you can find him playing with his kids, splashing in the ocean, or dreaming up new adventures. If you ever meet him and can’t think of anything to talk about, you might ask about Herman the Shark, the Kai and Eli stories, or why Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip is his all-time favorite book. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ll have questions and stories of your own (if you do, he’ll think that’s far more interesting).

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Is a book you think you’d like? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

My 4 Favorite Places To Read

January 24, 2019January 23, 2019 Rachel8 Comments

I can pick up a book a read where ever I want. Now that ebooks are a thing, I can have as many books as I want in the palm of my hand. I can take my Kindle or iPad with the Kindle app on it where ever I go. Or I can bring a physical book or two with me… or bring both. It depends on where I’m going, how long I’ll be there for, and how far into my current read I’m in.

While I’ve gotten better, I’ve never been one to be able to read with a lot of noise around me. I always get too distracted and I can’t focus on the words I’m trying to read. I can’t hear myself think. With that said, I always prefer to read in a quite area alone – or with other people who are reading or doing their own work.

The Couch

The couch in my office is a great place to read. We got a new light for the room over the summer so I can actually see what I’m reading. I have the second edition of the Kindle so if I’m reading an ebook, I don’t have a backlight (unless I decide to use my iPad).

My office is, obviously, where I spend the majority of my time. I like lounging on the couch with the cat and/or dog resting beside (or on top) of me. The turtle will usually be wandering around the room. It’s tranquil and generally just a relaxing time.

My Bed

Similar to the couch, you can’t go wrong by lying in bed with a book. I’ve read in bed before going to sleep on many occasions, but sometimes I’ll just head to bed before or after dinner and be there for the rest of the day reading a book. It always makes me feel good and it’s super comfortable.

I usually steal one of Kris’s pillows from her bed if I decide to sit up in bed while reading. My bed is pressed up against the wall and I’ll use her pillow to lean back. I need to get myself one of those pillows… I don’t even know what they’re called, but they’re super comfortable.

The Bathtub

Who doesn’t light a candle, put on some classical music, and lounge in the bathtub? I don’t because I typically read and having the music on (even without lyrics) will sometimes distract me. I don’t like a candle because I get paranoid and honestly, lately the dog has been barging in on me while I take a bath and I wouldn’t put it past her to knock the candle over by accident.

But still, the bathtub is a wonderful place for me lie back, breathe in the scented bubbles, and relax with some of my favorite characters. It’s probably one of the most peaceful places I can read.

My Car

I think, especially lately, my car is my favorite place for me to read. When I have to babysit during the week, I get to the school a half hour earlier than I need to be because the parking can be horrible. I sit in my car for that half hour and read my book. It’s awesome. My car is probably the quietest place I can go and there’s never anyone around me.

Plus, it’s consistent each day. I know I’ll always get to read some of my book for at least a half hour a day if I can’t find any other time to get some reading done.

Where are some of your favorite places to read? Let me know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it around.

Warriors: The Last Hope (Omen Of The Stars 6) By Erin Hunter [Book Review]

January 19, 2019January 17, 2019 RachelLeave a comment

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I got the book as a gift for my birthday.

Summary:

The end of the stars draws near. Three must become four to battle the darkness that lasts forever…

After countless moons of treachery, Tigerstar’s Dark Forest apprentices are ready to lay siege upon the warrior Clans. As the Clan cats seek out their allies and enemies, Jayfeather, Lionblaze & Dovewing search desperately for the fourth cat who is prophesied to lead the Clans to victory – and who may be their only hope for survival.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com As soon as I picked up this book, I knew exactly who the cat on the front cover was. And I cried. I had spoiled something for myself a while ago and, with the content of the Omen of the Stars books, I knew something was coming. The title alone says it all.

Plot | RachelPoli.com This is the final book in the Omen of the Stars series. This particular series of Warriors has been my favorite so far because it had so many Harry Potter vibes. I’ve been with these characters since I was 11-years-old and this plot wrapped everything up so nicely and punched me right in the gut.

This would have been the perfect ending to the series as a whole. Of course, there are three series (at the time of writing this review) after this one. So, this book serves as an ending and new beginning.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

This book, as I said earlier, punched me right in the gut. I don’t even know how to write this review because of spoilers… though, based on my blog audience, I’m not sure how many of you will actually go read these books. Still, I took out the character section due to spoilers because I don’t know what to say.

I cried throughout the majority of this book – that’s how good the writing is. I’m still crying even while writing this review.

Overall | RachelPoli.com This was a wonderful ending to a new beginning. I’m glad the series is still going, but I would have been satisfied if this was the final book in the Warriors series. I’m looking forward to reading a brand new generation of Warriors.

Warriors: The Last Hope (Omen of the Stars 6) by Erin Hunter gets…
5 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“I would have taken your place if you had let me.” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: The Last Hope (Omen of the Stars 6)

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Abe Books

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Warriors: The Forgotten Warrior (Omen Of The Stars 5) By Erin Hunter [Book Review]

January 12, 2019January 11, 2019 Rachel3 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I got it as a gift for a birthday.

Summary:

With a divided StarClan driving a treacherous rift between the four warrior Clans, the spirits of the Dark Forest are gaining strength. Ivypool’s role as a spy becomes more dangerous with each passing day, and Dovewing is haunted by nightmares about the mountains.
Then an outsider appears in ThunderClan’s midst, spreading discord and pushing the Clans farther apart. As tensions mount and Clanmates turn against one another, the warrior cats will be forced to choose whose word they can trust–before it’s too late.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com The book cover matches the rest of the series. It highlights a cat who’s important to the current book and series as a whole. I had guessed who the cat was on the front cover, even though that cat is no longer listed as one of the characters.

First Thoughts | RachelPoli.com Since I knew who the “forgotten warrior” was, I was eager to get going on this fifth book. This cat hasn’t been seen for a while and I’ve missed her.

Plot | RachelPoli.com A lot of the plot in this book is highlighting what’s already happened before and how the cats are dealing with it. Then an outsider shows up to help and that throws some characters for a loop. Overall, this plot was a lot of build up for the next book, the final in the Omen of the Stars installment.

Characters | RachelPoli.com A lot of this book focused on the forgotten warrior. Again, it was great to see her again after so long, even though it was easy to guess she’d be coming back. Overall, all the characters are great – Dovewing, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather – and it’s weird to know their story is coming to an end.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

As always, this is an easy read. The book flows well and while this wasn’t as tense as the previous books in the series, it was still a page-turner.

Overall | RachelPoli.com I enjoyed this book as much as I have the others and I’m looking forward to seeing the ending of Omen of the Stars in the next book.

Warriors: The Forgotten Warrior (Omen of the Stars 5) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“Why do relationships have to be so complicated?” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: The Forgotten Warrior (Omen of the Stars 5)

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Abe Books

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Wagging Through The Snow (Melanie Travis 21) By Laurien Berenson [Book Review]

January 5, 2019 Rachel2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I got it as a Christmas gift.

Summary:

Melanie Travis needs a little peace from her busy life this Christmas. But the usual holiday hubbub is a joy compared to the killer surprise she finds tucked underneath the tree . . .

With a demanding teaching job at Connecticut’s elite Howard Academy and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. But she unwraps an unexpected challenge when her brother and ex-husband, elated by the recent success of their country cafe, make a spontaneous bid on a dilapidated pine tree farm. Although the ten-acre lot had been a popular seasonal destination while the original owner was still alive, it’ll take some sprucing up–and a small miracle or two–before the neglected place is in shape for December.

Unfortunately, the impromptu business venture goes cold when the group discovers a purebred Maltese whimpering in the snow-covered grove–right beside a dead body. Pete, a squatter who camped out on the land, apparently met his end after a fallen fir tree branch knocked him on the head. But as Melanie and Aunt Peg investigate Pete’s history and the terrible habit that cost him everything, it’s clear his death was no accident. Now, Melanie must run through a flurry of likely suspects and muzzle a dogged murderer in time–or she’ll be next on someone’s deadly list.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com The cover is adorable with a Maltese dog stealing the show wearing a Santa hat. While the dog isn’t a huge part of the story, it’s still a piece of it and it matches the title pretty well.

First Thoughts | RachelPoli.com I got this book as a Christmas gift. This is book number 21 in the Melanie Travis series, but it’s book number one for me. Thankfully, the books don’t have to be read in order, but I’m sure the characters are well established by now.

Plot | RachelPoli.com Melanie’s brother and ex-husband own and run a country cafe together and, when her simple-minded brother decides to go to an auction, he ends up with a Christmas tree farm. With Christmas around the corner, they decided to put the new business to the test – only to find a dead body in the woods behind the house.

Overall, this plot was one typical of a cozy mystery. Something good happens to the protagonist, they stumble upon a dead body, and then they investigate. The majority of this book was Melanie running around and talking to people to figure out who this man was, why he was out there, and how/why he died. Once it was revealed, there was a quick, tense scene at the end. That was all. So, this book was “cozy” at its finest.

Characters | RachelPoli.com I enjoyed all the characters. I felt they meshed well together and there was a good amount of personality. I certainly loved Melanie’s Aunt – she stole the scenes for me while reading. She had a fun, boisterous personality. I also loved Melanie’s brother – I love a good risk-taker.

Melanie’s ex-husband and husband were just kind of okay to me. Her husband especially didn’t seem to be in the book as much. I loved the pack of Poodles they own though. That was definitely a nice touch.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

This book is just shy of 200 pages. It’s a quick read and the words flow from one page to another. The pace was even throughout and while I would have liked to see more action, it was a relaxing read. The investigation was easy to follow, though I didn’t know who it was until the ending when it was revealed.

Overall | RachelPoli.com Wagging Through the Snow was a pretty good read. I don’t think I know the characters as well enough as I should, but I think I’ll look into getting the first book sometime.

Wagging Through the Snow (Melanie Travis 21) by Laurien Berenson gets…
3 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“Life changes everyone. Some people learn to roll with the punches. Others fall down.” -Laurien Berenson, Wagging Through The Snow

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Abe Books

Be sure to take a look at the other Book Reviews I’ve done!

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Warriors: Omen Of The Stars: Sign Of The Moon (Book 4) By Erin Hunter [Book Review]

December 29, 2018December 23, 2018 RachelLeave a comment

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

I got a hardcover copy as a gift for my birthday.

Summary:

The end of the stars draws near.
Three must become four to battle
the darkness that lasts forever. . . .

The dark forces that have driven a rift between the four warrior Clans are growing stronger. Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw now know that unless they can unravel the true meaning behind the prophecy that binds them, the warrior code could be destroyed forever.

While Lionblaze remains focused on protecting ThunderClan from another deadly battle, Jayfeather receives a desperate plea for help from the Tribe of Rushing Water. He must travel to the mountains in search of answers that link the Clans to the Tribe in ways no cat could have imagined. But with the summons comes an ominous warning that suggests the power of the stars may not be enough to save the Clans.

My Review:

Book Cover | RachelPoli.com The book cover matches the rest of the series and I like the colors. The colors match the cat that’s showcased on the front.

Plot | RachelPoli.com This plot brings us right back to The Tribe of Rushing Water, which was a clan of cats that were from the second series of Warriors. We get to see some old friends and see how they’ve grown within the timeline of the books.

I will admit, however, I felt as though not much happened in this book. It was great to see some old characters and the main characters are still trying to figure some things out, but, for the most part, it seemed as though this book was all about building up for something bigger.

Writing Style | RachelPoli.com

This book was written well and similarly to the rest of the series. The chapters vary in length, but they’re all easy to read and quick. I felt as though there were some lulls in this book so some parts were definitely slow. Still, I enjoy the authors’ styles.

Overall | RachelPoli.com This was another good book in the series. I wish more had happened, but I appreciate what did happen in the book and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

Warriors: Sign of the Moon (Omen of the Stars book 4) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

“Destiny isn’t a path any cat follows blindly. It is always a matter of choice, and sometimes the heart speaks loudest. Listen to your heart, because that’s where your true destiny lies.” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: Sign of the Moon (Omen of the Stars book 4)

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I got this as a Christmas gift.

Summary:

My Review:

Warriors: Thunder and Shadow (A Vision of Shadows 2) by Erin Hunter gets… 4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

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I bought a paperback copy at Barnes & Noble.

Summary:

My Review:

Death By Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery 1) by Alex Erickson gets… 4 out of 5 cups

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I got a hardcover copy as a gift for Christmas.

Summary:

My Review:

Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1) by Erin Hunter gets… 4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

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I received an eARC from the author and his publicist.

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My Review:

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen gets… 3 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

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About J.M. Bergen

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The Couch

My Bed

The Bathtub

My Car

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I got the book as a gift for my birthday.

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My Review:

Warriors: The Last Hope (Omen of the Stars 6) by Erin Hunter gets… 5 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

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I got it as a gift for a birthday.

Summary:

My Review:

Warriors: The Forgotten Warrior (Omen of the Stars 5) by Erin Hunter gets… 4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

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I got it as a Christmas gift.

Summary:

My Review:

Wagging Through the Snow (Melanie Travis 21) by Laurien Berenson gets… 3 out of 5 cups

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Be sure to take a look at the other Book Reviews I’ve done!

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I got a hardcover copy as a gift for my birthday.

Summary:

My Review:

Warriors: Sign of the Moon (Omen of the Stars book 4) by Erin Hunter gets… 4 out of 5 cups

Favorite Quote:

Buy the book:

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!

Warriors: Thunder and Shadow (A Vision of Shadows 2) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Death By Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery 1) by Alex Erickson gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen gets…
3 out of 5 cups

Warriors: The Last Hope (Omen of the Stars 6) by Erin Hunter gets…
5 out of 5 cups

Warriors: The Forgotten Warrior (Omen of the Stars 5) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups

Wagging Through the Snow (Melanie Travis 21) by Laurien Berenson gets…
3 out of 5 cups

Warriors: Sign of the Moon (Omen of the Stars book 4) by Erin Hunter gets…
4 out of 5 cups