Favorite books of 2020

Moment of Truth by Kasie West

First: Get Caught by Crystal Liechty

The Match by Sarah Adams

Believing in You by Jess Mastorakos

The Riven Kingdoms series by Shari L. Tapscott

A Man Worth Shaving For by Michelle Pennington

The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair

If It's Perfect by Summer Dowell

Songs for Libby by Annette K. Larsen

The House that Death Built by Mel Stone

Suits and Sparkplugs by Aspen Hadley

Reforming Lord Neil by Sally Britton

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Tongue Twisters for Kids - Tongue Twister Drama skits for Cubscouts

I was a little underwhelmed by my Google search for tongue twisters so I made some up and I figured I'd save them here. These are for 2 or 3 kids to act out together. If they really enjoy it, you can make them start over each time they mess up until they perform the whole thing perfectly! (As Studio C does in their sketch comedy)

Waiter: The soup is oyster bisque with a mist of lemon twist.

Food critic: I’m looking for a specific pacific fish dish.

Waiter: The special is sushi surprise with salmon salad.

Food critic: Who is your sushi chef?

Waiter: Who, Jeff?

Sushi Chef: I am the sushi chef. My name is Jeff. My sushi is the best.

 

Soccer Coach: No smelly shoes at practice. I’m shocked at the socks in this locker room.

Player 1: But Coach, the basketball team threw three free throws after sticking with their stinky lucky socks.

Player 2: Please can we tease the other team with our solution of stinky socks steaming from our pungent shoes?

Soccer Coach: Lucky socks start to stink too soon. Besides, winners don’t whine and whiners don’t win.

 

Boy 1: My sister swapped her costume and now she wishes werewolves were willing to wear wool on Halloween.

Boy 2: The vampire version is seven times less scratchy.

Boy 1: Yes, but she should shun the shining sun.

Boy 2: I suggest a slightly less sweaty costume.

Boy 1: A pirate princess popstar would be practically perfect.

Top 10 Bookish Pet Peeves

We readers know what we like ... and don't like. Feel free to add to the list or argue with me in the comments.


My Top Ten Bookish Pet Peeves, in no particular order


1. Cliffhanger endings

2. Made up character names I can't pronounce. I don't care what country/planet Magergaherm is from. Name him Hal.

3. Not using contractions in dialogue

4. Bad movie adaptations - Yes, Percy Jackson and the Olympians - I'm talking about you!

5. Back/neck pain from staying up late leaning over a book. Also feeling dead the next day.

6. This is more a movie thing, but why does every character love jazz? I'm pretty sure in real life it's just my high school choir teacher.

7. Kids books with dust jackets Why!! They just rip.

8. The interrupting phone call / doorbell as a plot device to keep a character from telling the truth. (And yes, I've probably used it)

9. Starting too many sentences with ING. Running to the door, she... Taking out his phone, he...

10. Sharing a book with someone and trying to keep their bookmark from falling out.

Book Review of Seventh Born (The Talented Book 1) by Rachel Rossano

I could tell this was a special book to the author. There was a lot of detailed world building and Christian faith woven into a story that spanned several years. If you're looking for the romance you expect from a Rachel Rossano novel (such as Duty - LOVED that book) than this is probably not the book for you, though it's hinted that it will come in the next one. But as an inspirational fantasy with characters of integrity and grit, this works.

Zezilia is an interesting character, humble yet highly gifted and intelligent. Hadrian is the reluctant hero, holding fast while surrounded by corruption and power-seeking. I can't wait to see what comes next for them.

I received an ARC copy and chose to write a review.

Book Review of My Sister's Intended (Serendipity Book 1) by Rachael Anderson

Rachael Anderson is one of my favorite authors, and while I haven't loved everything she's written, she consistently puts out great books. My Sister's Intended did not disappoint. Prudence, who totally does not match her name, is suspicious of her sister's intended fiancee after she sees him making eyes at another woman and overhearing them planning to meet. She goes to intercept what she thinks is a tryst (while also gathering research for her romance novel). Of course, she's totally wrong about him, and unintentionally captures his attention instead. I loved that this was about a lovable headstrong heroine, but she didn't do reckless thing after reckless thing and somehow weasel out of the consequences as I've seen in many regency novels lately. This has long been a pet-peeve of mine. She loves her sister and the conflict felt real. Definitely a recommend from me.

My Top Ten Favorite Books for 2017

I've always loved top ten lists, so why not make one? Here are my top ten favorite reads from this year, in alphabetical order, since I can't pick among faves.


10. All's Fair in Love, War, and High School by Janette Rallison



I love all Janette Rallison's YA books (with the exception of Son of War, Daughter of Chaos, but that's a whole other post). They are funny, easy to relate to, and with flawed, but lovable characters with hilarious insight into life. This one is no exception.


9. Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard



This is a YA romance book, but also a book about the afterlife, regrets, being a hero, survival guilt... so much to think about. Really enjoyed this.

8. Edgewood by Karen McQuestion



This is a YA Fantasy series about teens that develop powers. And yes, that's kinda been overdone, but the characters are an interesting group and I have to say, book 2 was amazing. The relationship between Russ and Nadia is very unique and seeing things from different character perspectives really changed how I felt about the characters in book 1.


7. House of Oak 1-5 by Nichole Van



You're going to want to read all five, might as well get the boxed set. Nichole Van seamlessly intertwines a contemporary romance novel with an Austen-like regency novel. Each can be read as a stand-alone, but they work better if you read in order.

6. Isabella and the Slipper by Victorine E. Lieske



I got to beta read this, and I have to say this hit the sweet spot of using a fairy tale to tell a compelling YA love story.

5. Love and Fat-Free Cheese by Crissy Sharp



This is both a satisfying clean romance and a suspense mystery wrapped in one. Really loved this book.

4. Moss Forest Orchid by Shari L Tapscott



I'm still a little miffed that this ended in a cliff-hanger, but I really, really loved all the adventure and romance and fantasy elements like pocket dragons. Everything Shari L Tapscott writes is amazing.

3. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West



Kasie West is like the queen of YA. This one is especially fun because it's a passing notes, mystery admirer kind of story.

2. The Princess Fugitive by Melanie Cellier



This is another book where the main character was an unlikable side character in a previous book, until she gets her own story and you learn about her past. Full of adventure and clean romance.

1. The Student and the Slave by Annie Douglas Lima



This was another beta read and a great culmination to the three book series. This is YA, but otherwise hard to categorize in that it's alternative reality with no magic. And about martial arts. Definitely different than what I write or usually read, but engaging all the same.

Fate's Arrangement by Megan Elder Evans

Fate's Arrangement is about a noblewoman who more than anything else, wants to continue her work as a midwife, performing c-sections in a time where everyone else thinks she's barbaric. This book is not for the squeamish as there are several childbirth scenes and sword fights and such. Tastefully done, but realistic. The adventure and romance in it are both excellent. I really enjoyed this and haven't read anything else quite like it before.

I received an early copy from the author and wanted to write a review.