The Mice Before Christmas

A Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas

by Anne L. Watson

Pub Date 01 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 01 Jan 2022

Skyhook Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles

Children’s Fiction |  Parenting & Families

5 Stars

The Mice before Christmas is similar to the bookThe Night Before Christmas, as described in Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved poem. This book about an extended family and friends of a family of Mice as they go about preparing for Christmas Eve and Santa Mouse. Such a beautiful story that can also interpret to the everyday human family as they prepare for Christmas. Not only does the words tell us the story so does the beautiful and magnificent magical scenery of the pictures which brings the mice alive. These pictures encourages readers to look at them closely and opens the communication between the young and older readers to find a certain mouse or items after reading through the book. I would indeed encourage parents, carers, grandparents, aunts etc to purchase for a young child as an early Christmas Eve present.

#TheMiceBeforeChristmas #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Skyhook Press via NetGalley for my honest review of the book The Mice Before Christmas A Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas by Anne L. Watson. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

I Can Count to Christmas!

An Interactive Number Learning Story

by 

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 29 Oct 2021

B&H Publishing Group (B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids), B&H Kids

Children’s Nonfiction |  Christian |  Religion & Spirituality

5 stars

Numbers can be traced with your fingers or the toddlers fingers as you read the number and words. It’s a learning numbers counting book for toddlers and early child reading book. Ideal for teaching children their numbers of one to ten and easy words. A great Christmas book which teaches the children the Nativity, to learn on who is involved, the animals and who visits Christ after his birth. Certainly one I will keep on the bookshelf for my future grandchildren.

#ICanCounttoChristmas #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group, (B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids) via NetGalley for my honest review of the book I can count to Christmas an interactive number learning story. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Wardrobe Embroidery

Knit & Embroidery Projects for Upcycling Clothes

by Warunee Bolstad

Pub Date 15 Nov 2021 | Archive Date 31 Jan 2022

Zakka Workshop

Crafts & Hobbies

4 stars overall

5 stars for the projects; 3 stars due to missing items

A fantastic knitting and embroidery book full of projects ideal for clothing or items brought from an op shop, your own wardrobe, or a child’s or teenage wardrobe to recreate with embroidery. Also includes knitted patterns which as an experienced knitter the instructions for the patterns are also ideal for the beginner. As a beginner embroider I find that I will be able to learn to embroider from the instructions. So for me an ideal book for any knitter or embroidery level. I like that there’s a list of what’s required and photos of the embroidery tools and pictures and instructions embroidery techniques whereas there’s no pictures or instructions of the knitting techniques so a beginner is unable to understand how to knit. I’ve also noted in the knitting patterns there’s no UK or other sizing for the knitting needles. As an Australian this does confuse me and I know the sizes we use and this indicates that us Australians would need to recall or look up in another book the conversation of knitting needles

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zakka Workshop via NetGalley for my honest review of the book Wardrobe Embroidery knit and embroidery projects for upcycling clothes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book. #NetGalley

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer

by Ilsa Evans

Pub Date 01 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 08 Sep 2021

Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA

5 stars +++

General Fiction (Adult) |  Women’s Fiction

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a very unique Australian story, and not many people would band together and just take off with their grandchildren just to be heard. The story reminds me of some old tv shows, which brings different women together to becoming friends, this odd trio of women going from disliking and tolerating each other to becoming a warm and endearing friendship. I really enjoyed reading the book that I couldn’t put down. An emotional story going from funny to being anxious of them being caught or them pulling the plug. By the end of the book I felt glad that it all turned out right and at times sad and wishing I had a friendship and siblings similar to Shirley’s. A great book, I recommend to readers who like stories about us down to earth Aussies, friendships and family relationships.

#TheUnusualAbductionofAveryConifer #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley for my honest review of the book The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Falling

the most thrilling blockbuster read of the summer

by T. J. Newman

Pub Date 02 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 05 May 2021

Simon & Schuster Australia, Simon & Schuster UK

Mystery & Thrillers

5 Stars

Just when you thought getting on a plane was safe…. A full flight of one hundred and forty-three passengers are onboard. A normal day began for the pilot until he is asked to risk his life and passengers just so his family will live. A Mystery and Thrilling until the last word a reader is given a book full of twists and turns throughout. Definitely a book to keep and recommended for readers of Mystery and Thrillers.

 #Falling #NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster Australia via NetGalley for my honest review of the book Falling. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

We Are Meridians

Book One

by S. Ghali

Pub Date 28 Aug 2019 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2021

S. Ghali

Sci Fi & Fantasy

This is a very interesting, easy to read and follow storyline and storytelling. A sci fi and fantasy book with a very slight romantic twist to it. 300 years in the future no longer part of Earth, events occurred which caused a deadly mission to begin to search and find an alien artefact. Many twists and turns with thrilling on the edge of the seat book. I certainly recommend anyone to get a copy and have a read especially those who love to read the futuristic sci fi and fantasy genre. As this is part of a series as Book One I will indeed read this book again before reading book Two just to remember on what occurred in Book One.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from S. Ghali via NetGalley for my honest review of the book We Are Meridians Book One. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

The King’s Painter

The Life of Hans Holbein

by Franny Moyle

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 05 Oct 2021

ABRAMS, Abrams Press

Arts & Photography

 4 stars

The King’s Painter is a Arts & Photography style book but it’s more like historic and story of King Henry VIII and his wives and other historical characters. At this point of time I am not exactly able to concentrate on reading the book fully and I’ve managed read a couple of chapters. This book I certainly am interested in reading fully so I can be in the right head space to fully understand and make a proper review of the book. Please keep an eye out for a decent updated review in the near future.

#TheKingsPainter #NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Abrams Press via NetGalley for my honest review of the book The King’s Painter by Franny Moyle. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Royal Flush

by Margaret Irwin

Pub Date 02 Apr 2020 | Archive Date 08 Jun 2020

Agora Books

General Fiction (Adult) |  Historical Fiction

 2 stars

Royal Flush a Historical Fiction about the British throne, courts of King Louis XIV of France, loveless marriage, affairs, royal alliances and other interesting and intriguing situations Minette struggles within. The story is slow to start, characters seem to be high and mighty, some are dull and boring with no emotional connection, others are snobby and others with no spine or backbone. It seems to be an interesting and emotional storyline is something that I certainly do like to read but somehow I just couldn’t get into it at all; unable to put my finger upon my correct thoughts. My interest just wasn’t there the several times I’ve tried to read the book. I will try again at a later point in time to see if I can obtain an interest and will let you know if any changes. Ideal for those interested in reading about this timeline. I am sorry but I’m stating my exact thoughts and feelings on what I’ve read which was only a few chapters. I would rather tell you exact thoughts than stating on what a great book; which is not writing a decent review. Someone else might actually like to read the book and fingers crossed. All the best.

#RoyalFlush #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Agora Book via NetGalley for my honest review of the book Royal Flush by Margaret Irwin. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

The Other Side of Beautiful

by Kim Lock

Pub Date 07 Jul 2021 | Archive Date 08 Jul 2021

Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA, HQ Fiction

 You Like Them

General Fiction (Adult) |  Women’s Fiction

The Other Side of Beautiful is an emotional story and found it extremely hard to put down. At times it’s funny, serious, depressing, romance and nerve racking story that it’s impossible to guess what could be occurring next. Mercy finding her house burnt down, and a personal issues, broken down and being house bound for the past two years, she found herself staying at her ex-husband’s place and beginning to feel that she’s a burden. Emotionally at rock bottom, anxious, depressed and not entirely herself, she finds herself a proud owner of a rundown campervan. The book I recommend for anyone who likes to read stories about romance, adventure and how someone can overcome black clouds to bright skies. An enjoyable book which helped me to see the brighter side of life.

#TheOtherSideofBeautiful #NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley for my honest review of the book the other side of beautiful. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

The Perfect Family

by Robyn Harding

Pub Date 28 Jul 2021 | Archive Date 02 Jun 2021

Simon & Schuster Australia

 You Like Them

Mystery & Thrillers

5 stars

A very interesting book that I found it full of mystery, twists and turns and certain situations seem to be not real and not really sure on what’s going on for the perfect family.

The perfect family are they really perfect as they seem to be.

Secrets they all have and are they really as happy as they appear to others. Events occur, and due to previous actions they accuse others but what’s really going on. A book for those who like to read about family dynamics mystery.

#ThePerfectFamily #NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster Australia via NetGalley for my honest review of the book . The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.