Pandora Reborn by John Coon

Synopsis:
Ron Olson is a reluctant newcomer to Deer Falls. Adjusting to this small Colorado town is tough for Ron, who has been torn away from his father, his friends, and his soccer team.

His situation takes a frightening turn when a mysterious woman in black is released from a chest that imprisoned her. This ancient and powerful evil descends upon Deer Falls and a series of unexplained deaths follow. No one is safe. Anyone in the town could be next.

Ron is soon targeted by the centuries-old malevolent witch as she reigns terror and death upon the town. Can Ron and his new friends find out the truth about the deaths that have plagued the town and stop the witch before more people die?

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was AMAZING! It hooked me in from the start and kept my attention throughout. I read it in one sitting! The cast of characters was perfect for this book. I feel like Dean should have gotten a bigger part though. I am going to put this on my Halloween reads shelf!

Nobody's Sweetheart Now - Maggie Robinson

Description:
A delightful English cozy series begins in August 1924. Lady Adelaide Compton has recently (and satisfactorily) interred her husband, Major Rupert Charles Cressleigh Compton, hero of the Somme, in the family vault in the village churchyard.

Rupert died by smashing his Hispano-Suiza on a Cotswold country road while carrying a French mademoiselle in the passenger seat. With the house now Addie's, needed improvements in hand, and a weekend house party underway, how inconvenient of Rupert to turn up! Not in the flesh, but in - actually, as a - spirit. Rupert has to perform a few good deeds before becoming welcomed to heaven - or, more likely, thinks Addie, to hell.

Before Addie can convince herself she's not completely lost her mind, a murder disrupts her careful seating arrangement. Which of her twelve houseguests is a killer? Her mother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Broughton? Her sister Cecilia, the born-again vegetarian? Her childhood friend and potential lover, Lord Lucas Waring? Rupert has a solid alibi as a ghost and an urge to detect.

Enter Inspector Devenand Hunter from the Yard, an Anglo-Indian who is not going to let some barmy society beauty witnessed talking to herself derail his investigation. Something very peculiar is afoot at Compton Court and he's going to get to the bottom of it - or go as mad as its mistress trying.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am a huge fan of characters like Phryne Fisher, Agatha Raisin, and anything by Agatha Christy. This book is right up there with these fabulous authors and characters. I loved Addy's character. She was well developed and her look on society norms (women fainting) often made me laugh. Her husband's ghost also provided some laugh out loud moments. This book is going to join all of my other cozy mysteries and get read on a regular basis.

The Girl's Guide to Conquering Middle School by Erica and Jonathan Catherman

Description
The transition from elementary school to middle school skirts the borders of traumatic for many girls. Their bodies are changing, their moods are shifting, their friendships are tested, and boys can become a big distraction. Girls may begin to struggle with grades, behavior, and relationships with family and friends. How do they know what to do and what not to do in this new environment with new expectations?

Erica and Jonathan Catherman offer girls ages ten to twelve the practical help they need to make the move to middle school as painless as possible. The "do this, not that" format covers a hundred relevant topics and situations middle school girls will face, including the first day, bullies, test taking, cell phone use, homework, gossip, leadership, respect, sports, PDA, and many more. 

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Middle school is tough. Not only is a girl's body going through changes, but there is social scenarios, appropriate responses, and behaviors that can either create friends or make enemies. How is a girl fresh out of elementary supposed to cope with this new environment with unspoke rules? The Girls' Guide to Conquering Middle School has the answers. The book has alphabetical listings for everything from the 1st day to Zombies. The topics are covered in ways that are relatable to middle school girls. Each topic also includes a fun fact, a brief true story, quotes or jokes. Each topic includes examples of what to do and what not to do. I would highly recommend this book to every young girl making the monumental transition from elementary to middle school; from the world of a little girl to young lady.

Bah! Humbug! - By Michael Rosen Illustrated by Tony Ross

Description
A timely retelling of A Christmas Carol for the whole family about a smartphone-obsessed dad.

This Christmas, join Michael Rosen and Tony Ross with their unforgettable retelling of Charles Dickens's beloved holiday classic. Harry Gruber plays the role of Scrooge in his school's production of "A Christmas Carol," and he is extra nervous about tonight's performance because his father is in the audience — not away for business, as usual. Will the story's message of Christmas cheer and the redemptive power of love reach his father's distracted Scrooge heart?


Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Harry gets to play Scrooge for his school play. His dad, however, grumbled and complained about having to go see it. During the play, Dad gets a phone call and leaves for business matters. As Harry does an outstanding performance, Dad slowly starts to realize what is most important.  This was a super cute retelling of A Christmas Carol. I loved the characters, the humor, and the writing. This book is going to get added to my Christmas reading rotation.  My 10-year-old stole my kindle and finished it before I could and she said to make sure everyone knew how good it was and it deserved 50 stars. I have to agree. The illustrations were cute, and I loved the style.

The Hollow of Fear - Sherry Thomas

Description:
Under the cover of “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don’t.

Moriarty’s shadow looms large. First, Charlotte’s half brother disappears. Then, Lady Ingram, the estranged wife of Charlotte’s close friend Lord Ingram, turns up dead on his estate. And all signs point to Lord Ingram as the murderer.

With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to seek out the truth. But uncovering the truth could mean getting too close to Lord Ingram—and a number of malevolent forces…

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this book free from Edelweiss books in exchange for a review.

I love this series. Charlotte, Livia and Mrs. Watson try to prove the innocense of Lord Ingrahm's innocense when his wife is found dead in the ice house.

Follow these characters on a well thought out plot full of twists and turns. The cast of characters are well developed and interact in a believable way. I love this author's writing style and how she makes it almost impossible to guess who did it or what will happen next.

The Au Pair by Emma Rous

Description:
A grand estate, terrible secrets, and a young woman who bears witness to it all. If V. C. Andrews and Kate Morton had a literary love child, Emma Rous’ The Au Pair would be it.

Seraphine Mayes and her twin brother Danny were born in the middle of summer at their family’s estate on the Norfolk coast. Within hours of their birth, their mother threw herself from the cliffs, the au pair fled, and the village thrilled with whispers of dark cloaks, changelings, and the aloof couple who drew a young nanny into their inner circle.

Now an adult, Seraphine mourns the recent death of her father. While going through his belongings, she uncovers a family photograph that raises dangerous questions. It was taken on the day the twins were born, and in the photo, their mother, surrounded by her husband and her young son, is beautifully dressed, smiling serenely, and holding just one baby.

Who is the child and what really happened that day?

One person knows the truth, if only Seraphine can find her.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is no way to adequately describe this book without giving it all away. But I am going to do my best. Seraphine always felt that there was something different about her family, but she could never quite figure out what it was. After he father's death, she finds a photo of her mother holding a newborn baby. The catch is that Seraphine is a twin. This starts her on a journey to discover the truth. Through the twist and turns, she could never have imagined what that truth actually was.

This book was AMAZING. The first chapter is really choppy and you are just kind of thrown into the story. The characters are pretty much introduced as the story goes along. There are a couple of things that happened that were never mentioned again (a mirror scene). The book was beautifully written and the plot was well thought out.

This Dark Endeavor - Kenneth Oppel

Description:
Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one.

The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life.

The elixir needs only three ingredients. But impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn.

Victor knows he must not fail. Yet his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science and love—and how much he is willing to sacrifice.

Synopsis: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The author gave a fresh voice to the Frankenstein story. I loved the adventures and the mysteriousness of the dark library. I feel that the author did an amazing job capturing what a young Victor would have been like. Henry and Elizabeth were awesome supporting characters. I can't wait to read the next one!