🌟REVIEW: "The Storybook Knight" by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty (Childrens books, Fantasy)

The Storybook Knight by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty
	Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky Genre: Childrens books, Picture Book, Fantasy Publication Date: September 6, 2016 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Even dragons can’t resist a good story… Even though Leo would rather sit at home and read, his parents send him out into the world in the hopes that Leo will become a famous knight. But when Leo comes up against the land’s most fearsome beasts, he soon discovers that scary monsters enjoy a good book as much as anyone…
EXTRAS:
Join Leo’s Storybook Knights, pledge your allegiance and receive a certificate of membership, and download and share Twitter, Facebook and blog images. Download an Activity Kit and Educator's Guide.
My Rating:
Musings:
This is such an adorable book! I love that Leo is a bookworm and a knight who is gentle. The fact that he wins over all of his obstacles by being familiar with the creatures and showing them books just sets this book over the top for me (in the best way). The illustrations are beautiful and I really like the art style. It reminds me of older storybooks. I am always a fan of kids books that have detailed and colorful illustrations and this one does not disappoint in that regard! My second favorite thing about this book (first being the book-reading knight that wins everyone over with books) is that it shows kids that these creatures aren't scary even though they appear to be at first. This is a book that I know will be read and re-read over and over again. Already, my son has requested it be read to him twice, then he "read" it to me and then my husband (read = summarizing each page since he is 3). This is available in hardcover and is just a wonderful and beautiful book!
My Source: I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Helen Docherty
I was born and grew up in a small town called Weymouth, on the south coast of England. My family was from Wales, and I inherited from them a love of stories. As a child, I spent most of my time either reading or writing. From an early age I started making books with my own stories and pictures in them. I took this very seriously, and was quite determined that I would be a writer when I grew up (I knew I was never going to make it as a ballet dancer, athlete or pop star).
About Thomas Docherty
Thomas Docherty was born in New Zealand but has spent most of his life in England. He studied metalwork and sculpture and now has a collection of acclaimed picture books. Thomas has been short-listed for a variety of awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 for Little Boat.
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GUEST POST: Holly Jacobs, author of the Dear Fairy Godmother series

Guest Post: Holly Jacobs, author of the Dear Fairy Godmother series "Fairytales Do Come True" I am so excited that Myrtle, Fern and Blossom—my three good-hearted, albeit slightly inept, fairy godmothers—are being rereleased with new (adorable I think) covers! I write romance, but I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy novels. I spent my formative years in Middle Earth, Narnia and so many other magical lands. When I first whispered the words, I want to be a writer, I thought I might write fantasy. But I fell in love with romance…literally. I love looking at people and what makes them tick…and how when we’re really lucky, we find someone who not only ticks along with us, but clicks. Though I was selling contemporary romance to various publishers, an idea for a funny fairytale romance kept asserting itself. And like magic, I wrote Mad About Max. Author, Robert Heinlein theorized that characters and worlds that are well loved truly exist somewhere (he sent characters from his book to Oz). That inspired me to bring a slightly frazzled author’s fairy godmother characters to life. Myrtle, Fern and Blossom had decided that their creator wasn’t very gleeful and set out to find her a happily-ever-after. And that’s when the chaos starts, but its certainly not where it ends! After the fairies wreak their havoc on Grace and her hero, Max, they find Max’s siblings Joy and Nick their own happily-evers as well. I thought I was done with fairies. But not only did readers keep sending me fairies (who all still hang out in my office), but they kept asking for more fairytales. So I wrote one more book…Fairly Human. And this time, I decided that maybe it was the fairies themselves who would find themselves up to their fairy wings in a bit of chaos, a bit of magic…and a whole lot of love. Having the fairies have a second go-round has been a whole lot of fun for me…and hopefully for readers as well! - Holly Jacobs
Mad About Max (#1) As the author of seven successful Fairy Godmother romance novels, Grace MacGuire has it all. At least she has it all until those fictional fairies start to take an interest in her love life . . . or rather her lack of one. Grace decides she must be crazy. Characters she created couldn't really come to life. Could they? She turns to Dr. Artemus Maxmillion Aaronson for the answer. Unfortunately, Max proves to be more than the solution to her sanity impairment. It seems he's the one Mrytle, Fern and Blossom, Grace's three fairies, have chosen as her Prince Charming. In Mad About Max, Grace and Max discover that sanity is only a state of mind - but love is forever. Good Reads Kindle Nook Kobo Apple Google Magic for Joy (#2) Joy Aaronson is an accident waiting to happen. She's long since learned to accept her ability to create catastrophes, and she definitely doesn't need help in that arena. But help's just what she's getting. The fairies are back! And Myrtle, Fern, and Blossom have decided that Joy isn't joyful. They're going to change that. They're bound and determined to see to it another Aaronson bites the matrimonial bullet. It doesn't matter to them if Joy's Prince Charming, Gabriel St. John, thinks she's comfortable. They're sure he'll eventually fall in love with her. In fact, they're counting on it. But can Joy count on the three bumbling fairies to make her dreams come true? If Gabriel and Joy survive Myrtle, Fern, and Blossom's help, they just might just discover the Magic of Joy! Good Reads Kindle Nook Kobo Apple Google Miracles for Nick (#3) Nick Aaronson is a lawyer who doesn't believe in fairy-tale romance. He doesn't even believe in fairies, but they believe in him! Myrtle, Fern and Blossom are back, and they have one last Aaronson to find a happily-ever-after mate. And they're determined Nick is going to be happy...whether he wants to be or not. Glory Chambers thought she was leading the perfect life until she discovers it was a fairytale she'd invented for herself. When a mysterious aunt leaves her a diner in Erie, Pennsylvania, Glory's ready for a new start. But she hadn't planned on Myrtle, Fern and Blossom—they're more adventure than anyone is ready for, even a disgruntled ex-corporate executive. Glory unwittingly hires them and finds that her life is turned upside down when her fairy employees are sued. Who do you hire to represent three fairies in a civil suit? Nick Aaronson, of course! Thrown together in the fairy-trial of the century, Glory and Nick draw closer, despite their misgivings. A man who doesn't believe in love, a woman looking for independence, and three fairy godmothers determined matchmake the couple make a dangerous mix. Will Myrtle, Fern and Blossom be able to convince Glory and Nick that they can live happily-ever-after, or will they learn that even magic can't guarantee a...Miracle for Nick. Good Reads Kindle Nook Kobo Apple Google Fairly Human (#4) Myrtle, Fern and Blossom have finally stepped over the line. Bernie, in charge of the Fairy Council this century, sentences them to live as humans for the next six months. Not only that, he strips away their facades and rather than the older-lady personas they’ve grown used to over the centuries, he sends them back to their true forms. They're babes. Super hot women guaranteed to make any man stand up and notice. Three fairies, stripped of most of their powers and thrust on unsuspecting mortals? Life is going to get interesting. Not all the mortals are quite so unsuspecting. The entire Aaronson clan has dealt with the fairies before, and all three siblings have the fairies to thank for their happy marriages. They help where they can, as does Fiona, another one time goddaughter. But this ordeal is something each fairy must experience on her own. For the first time ever the three fairies--uh, women-- find themselves on independent paths that collide with three different men. Men who teach Myrtle, Fern and Blossom about a magic that has nothing to do with fairy-ness, and everything to do with love. In the end, Myrtle, Fern and Blossom find love and must decide what to do...should they return to Fairyland when their sentence is over and forget the men who have touched them, or should they throw aside their previous lives and build new ones with the men they love? Good Reads Kindle Nook Kobo Apple Google
About Holly Jacobs: Award-winning author Holly Jacobs has sold more than two and a half million books worldwide. Along with her family and her cover model dogs, she resides in Erie, Pennsylvania, which serves as the setting for many of her stories, including her Dear Fairy Godmother series!

Review: "His Forbidden Princess" by Jeannie Moon (Contemporary Romance)

His Forbidden Princess by Jeannie Moon
	Publisher: Tule Publishing Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: April 30th 2015 Series: Royal Holiday "The Cinderella Princess" by Melissa McClone "Her Secret Prince" by Madeline Ash "His Defiant Princess" by Kathleen O'Brien (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Eight years ago, university student Ian Stuart fell in love with his sweet, beautiful classmate and he’s never forgotten her. Sofie loved Ian with all her heart in return, but she didn’t trust him with one little detail about her life she’d neglected to share. She was a princess, and they could never be together in the outside world. Now Crown Princess Sofia is in danger. An insurgent faction in her country has targeted the royal family, and while Sofia is visiting the United States, she is forced to go into hiding. Assigned to protect her is none other than FBI Special Agent Ian Stuart. Once again Ian and Sofie are in an impossible situation, fighting their feelings for one another, while trying to stay safe. Will their love for each other prove to be the most dangerous game of all?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was an enjoyable escape, which felt very much like a modern fairytale. But it there were some editing things that pulled me out of the story (some repeated info, some inconsistencies, typos, etc.). I was reading an ARC, so they may be fixed in the final copy. The amount of dramatic, flowery "I have always loved you" bordered on cheesy... I lost count how many times they each said "I love you" (usually followed by elaborate professions of that love). It reminded me of older romance, which wasn't bad, just different. It worked with the story part of the time, but other times was a bit much. The sex scenes left a bit to be desired, though I think it was mostly a lack of chemistry. Did I like them together? Yes. But I didn't necessarily get as much of a sense that they had undying passion and love for one another. The characters themselves were a bit stereotypical and shallow. There were too many times where I had questions (How did they know X or Y?). I wanted more information, and at least a bit more from the characters. Had a lot of promise, especially for a novella. Nice fluffy romance. I think it would have worked better as a full novel though.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Jeannie Moon
Jeannie Moon is a school librarian who loves that she has a job which allows her to immerse herself in good books and call it work. A native Long Islander, Jeannie still lives there with her family and a couple of well-behaved dogs and an equally misbehaving cat.

Review: "The Prince's Bride" by Diane Alberts (Contemporary Romance)

The Prince's Bride by Diane Alberts
	Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Indulgence) Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: June 20th 2016 Series: Modern Fairytales, #2 Standalone: Yes Other Books In Series: #1 Beauty and the Boss (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Alicia Forkes went to a trendy club looking for a way to forget her troubles, and she found that in the arms of the gorgeous man who swept her off of her feet…and into one of the hottest encounters she’d ever had in her life. Awesome sex with a stranger is now something she can check off her bucket list. Except he isn’t exactly a stranger. He’s the guy who broke her heart when they were teens, an experience she doesn’t plan on repeating. Prince Leo can’t believe he’s finally found the woman he’s loved for years, and she wants nothing to do with him. When she shows up at his office, she looks anything but princess-like. In fact, she’s cursing him to hell and back. She may not be Cinderella, but he’s determined to prove he’s the prince for her––even if it means letting her go.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
Holy crap, I loved this so much! Swoonworthy romance, a worthy prince, a strong female lead, sizzling chemistry, humor... I loved every minute of this Indulgence. The characters were the perfect amount of deep, not shallow or overly dragged down by anything in their pasts or present. Their interactions, their bonding, their love... It all felt so natural, despite the fairytale aspects. Speaking of which, I absolutely adored the subtle (and less subtle) nods to not just fairytales, but Disney's Aladdin, as well as The Princess Bride (the title's similarity being a reason I wanted to read this. That movie is a treasured favorite.) It added yet more charm to an already enchanting story. The drama of the letters was perfectly executed, as was the scene before the Epilogue (seriously, *Swoon*). You also really couldn't help but love Prince Leo - he was ridiculously sweet, honest to a fault... "As you wish, my lady." :) I love that he wooed Alicia, respecting her feelings and desires, and the way he interacted with all of his staff and subjects, especially the school children they encounter on one of their adventures. Alicia is a perfect match for him, though understandably a little rough around the edges. She's a good mix of sassy and sweet, and her perseverance despite the hard knocks tossed her way is admirable. All in all, I would recommend this to ANYONE who loves contemporary romance, especially if they like a splash of fairytale in their lives.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Diane Alberts
Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin RandomHouse. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.