Through The Grinder

Through The Grinder is book two of the Coffeehouse Mysteries and brings back the wonderful cast of characters at the Village Blend.

Your favorite characters (and new ones) have come together for round two of a murder mystery which wasn't on the Brew of the Day! This time, female customers are committing suicide left and right and the connection they all have? They all go to the speed dating night that the Village Blends hosts and Detective Quinn doesn't like the way some of the guys are looking at Clare... Clare claims to join it due to Joyce's encouragement but she's actually been trying to make sure that she doesn't choose one at all! Will one of the connections she makes while "undercover" a little too close for her comfort?

This one is a little heavier on the dark side and faces some heavier situations and scenarios. Otherwise, the book kept me up for the most of the night because I couldn't simply put it down!

Guts

Guts by the same classic author who did the books, Smile and Sisters, Raina Telemeger! And this one isn't gory at all, trust me on that. This one is a little more close to home for those who are looking for a reassurance in teenager trouble and anxieties. Rana is having troubles with the flu and often finds herself feeling sick to her stomach, thinking she's going to puke and is self conscious in a lot of things. She won't even eat certain foods because they're giving her those weird feelings of puking. What's even more interesting? Rana is going to a therapist to help her with her troubles! Will puberty help her discover who she is or give Rana more trouble than she thought possible?

This one is something I wish I had growing up. It talks about anxiety and how it's a little troublesome in your day to day life - that and puberty. I find myself following the tips and tricks that Rana uses a couple times a week. There are different things which cause us to stress out or become anxious that may not have the same effect on others. But we can all help each other get through our troubles. Stress management hasn't always been my strong suite but it's starting to help me get the stress out in a creative outlet - writing or doodling when I need it.

Death of a Chocoholic

Hello, everyone! It's been a while since I've posted and I apologize for not updating my blog a little more regularly. Let's just say that life has been a little crazy for me during the past year or so. But I've rediscovered an old passion of mine: food themed mysteries!

This week's food themed mystery is "Death of a Chocoholic" by Lee Hollis. Hiding within these pages are at least 5 different chocolate recipes and a whole lot of cats. The story starts off a little weird with the main character, Hayley Powell, going on a blind date who shows up 30 minutes later than the planned time. But there seems to be a silver lining in the clouds when Hayley is told that she'll be running her food column and someone else's crime column with double the paycheck.

Things actually take a while to get rolling and the actual mystery doesn't start until chapter 12, a third of the way through the book. There are a lot more characters than I expected but Hollis makes sure to keep things clear and simple for the new readers. I will admit the love interests are slightly cliched with the young vet who's just recently moved into town and mentions of a few too many heartthrob celebrities. It keeps a bit of a small town feel though where the only thing you can do is either go to the local bowling/bar or go to another town for something fun! Minor warning though: there is a large mention of alcohol in the story (for younger readers or those who wish to avoid the mention) and a couple of mentions of doing the dirty but a good book otherwise!

Fangirl

Fangirl is considered to be a coming of age story for those who are going to be at college and away from home. It follows Cather Avery on her journey of being out of her comfort zone while also balancing the surprises of Wren not being her roommate and their father being alone. Wren suddenly is out partying with other social butterflies and doesn't want anything to do with Cather. On the other hand, her roommate's weird guy friend/boyfriend (she doesn't really know) keeps complimenting her and making her blush. And on top of that, she's trying to keep track of her Simon Snow books which will end at the end of the school year. Will Cather be able to handle the weight of college or will she have to go back home to escape the craziness?

Surprisingly, this one was a recommendation from a close friend up at school who I still keep in contact with! Rainbow Rowell is a new author that's making her mark on the world through novels and comics in the past couple of years. This isn't her first rodeo and it doesn't look like it will be her last. I was a little reluctant to read this since it was realistic fiction and by a author I didn't know. I honestly fell in love with the book and was eager to find other books written by Rainbow Rowell. There is mentions of drinking and other implications but is otherwise a good read.

On What Grounds

Alright, Coffee lovers! This series is for you and even if you don't drink coffee, its a good ol' mystery!

Placed in beautiful New York City, Clare Cosi, divorced barista, starts once again managing the Village Blend. The Village Blend was originally started by her mother in law and is thought to be the source of good coffee and rest for many famous people. But as Clare is getting ready to start another new day at the Blend, she finds her assistant manager, a young ballet student, at the bottom of the basement stairs. It looks like a minor trip or was it sabotage for something more? When the cops arrive, they simply see it as an accident and nothing more but Clare thinks it to be something sinister... And so does the cute detective that comes in. You'll get a first taste of what kind of caffeine fueled thrills Cleo Coyle will take you down in the Coffeehouse Mysteries! 

With a slow start, On What Grounds paces itself out in allowing each clue to be followed before any other action is taken. It's a bit of a slower pace and does contain some excitement but talks a little more about the characters and the history of the city. For those who have no idea what the difference between a latte and a expresso might be, Clare walks the readers through it and shows a sneak peek of how everything is made. At the end of each book, there's a section devoted to the foods mentioned called "Recipes & Tips from the Village Blend"!  

Battle of the Labyrinth

"You shall derive in the darkness of

the endless maze,

The dead, the traitor, and the

lost one will raise.

You shall rise or fall by the

ghost king's hand,

The child of Athena's final stand.

Destroy with a hero's final breath,

And lose a love to worse than death."

In Battle of the Labyrinth, tensions are high strung as Kronos continues to gain more and more allies while Camp Half-blood tries to maintain a cheery output. But when a new discovery happens during the middle of capture the flag that changes everything, Annabeth must lead a quest this time. With four people instead of the traditional three, what could go wrong? There are so many paths with twists and turns of their own. Will a new ally be the one to stab them in the back or is it someone much older and from behind the scenes of the camp?

This is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson series and another page turner! Old and new characters come into play as Percy Jackson and his friends try to figure out how to stop Kronos from rising permanently and send the world back into the Bronze Age. One again a book that's hard to put down and continues to explore the Greek mythology and the dangers that come with it. I once made the mistake of skipping over the previous book and left me very confused when I didn't recognize a couple of name drops. The classic sass and humor is back with witty pick up lines.