X-Files in a book

"The Complete X-Files" by Chris Knowles is being re-released with the new info and pics involving Seasons 10.  The book is really a collection of summaries from each episode and movie involving the X-Files show.  Most of the summaries are brief, but some give behind the scenes information or quirky little bits of facts.  There are pictures included of both behind the scenes and stills.  This would be the perfect gift for an X-File junkie.  I know I love it, however, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who watches it here and there.  I also would recommend on spending the extra dough and getting the hardback.  I read this on my phone and the pics weren't as viewable as I would have liked.  I received this book from www.netgalley.com. 

Amish Novellas

"An Amish Harvest:  Four Novellas" by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman is a sweet collection of Amish Fiction revolving around the Autumn months.  Though all have a touch of romance, they each have various genres: some mystery, some action, etc.  The Chapman novella, Mischief in the Autumn Air, was my favorite.  That is the one I will summarize.  In this novel, Martha, a widowed 40 something, must move in with her aunt due to finances and live over 250 miles from home.  She soon takes a job at an auction house and discovers a mystery.  Eli, her boss, and Martha try to solve the mystery of maps on various pieces of furniture.  Is it treasure?  Is it more?  I liked some of the novellas more than others, but they were all enjoyable and easy reads.  Perfect for relaxing.  I received this book from www.booklookbloggers.com. 

Clancy's

"The Clancys of Queens" by Tara Clancy is a memoire of the author, a girl growing up in Queens.  Tara is the character told in the style of Scout-Ramona-Junie B.  She is every teacher's nightmare, she is adventurous, and she is "the fun one".  Tara lives with her mother in a basement apartment in her grandma's house.  Grandma is a hoot.  The story follows her growing up years spending alternate weekends between her father's one room shed that he rents and her mother's boyfriend, Mark, who is Colin Powell's neighbor in the Hamptons. 
Clancy's writing is hilarious and eloquent. I love the way she strings the words together.  It's not a heavy read, but does give pause to how one looks at other people.  Her character building is superb. 4 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read. 

Priceless Review

"Priceless:  She's Worth Fighting For" is the novelization of the movie by the same name, written by Joel and Luke Smallbone.  In this book, James becomes a widower and in the process of grieving he looses his home.  In an effort to get back on his feet quick, James takes a job dealing drugs and get prison time on his first time out.  While serving he looses custody of his daughter and in an effort to get enough money to get his daughter back he takes a job driving "cargo", which is criminal for humans.  Now either James is incredibly unlucky or not real bright.  Maybe both.  He soon discovers his cargo is two women and falls for the older one.  Maria and Antonia are sisters trying to make it in America.  Somehow they get caught up with criminals with bad intentions.  And their hero, James.
This book is a quick read, a bit frustrating at times.  The bad or naive decisions get a little hard to watch.  The book is written by a couple of brothers from the band for King & Country with Nancy Rue.  Though they tell a good story it does seem that they are trying to tell too much at once.  I would recommend this for a young adult reader.  I received this book from Worthy Publishers in exchange for an honest review. 

Oke Returns to West

"Where Hope Prevails" is the third novel in the Return to the Canadian West series by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.  This series is a companion story to the TV series "When Calls the Heart."  Though I haven't read the first two in the series of books, I do watch the show.  So while the two do not match, it is still readable without too much confusion. 
In this novel, Beth Thatcher is beginning her new school year at Coal Valley.  Much to her dismay, she is starting it with a new teacher as well.  Being a teacher, I found the back and forth between the two pertaining to educational philosophies rather interesting. The novel follows Coal Valley as it grows by leaps and bounds into a new civilized life and as Beth learns to live on her own before her wedding to Jack, the Mountie.  The novel is an easy read, perfect for relaxing without a lot of strain.  The 'book' Beth is a lot more complex that the 'TV' Beth.  She is more of a worrier and makes more mistakes.  Mistakes that she worries about, of course.  She seems more human and makes it a more enjoyable read.  I don't think what passes on television would make good reading here.  I will probably be searching out book one and two in this series.  Nice read!  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishing. 

Mike in Japan

"The Mask" by Taylor Stevens is the next novel in the Vanessa Michael Munroe series.  Mike is a mercenary for hire that battles injustice throughout the world, hopping from continent to continent kicking butt as she goes.  I reviewed "The Catch" last fall and when I saw Stevens had this new one out I knew I had to read it.  I love the Munroe books!  Munroe is both a woman and easily passes as a man.  She also fights like one.  The Munroe character is what makes these books so great, but the storyline is also intriguing.  In this one, she leaves Africa for Japan, following Bradford, her long-time love.  Bradford had a job in security there when he is framed for a murder in the building where he works.  Munroe has been kept in the dark about all the details pertaining to the job and has to start from scratch to prove Bradford's innocence.  Go read this book.  I give it an A.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.bloggingforbooks.com. 

Go Big

"Go Big or Go Home" is country star, Scotty McCreery's autobiography.  The book gives a brief account of his growing up years and then focuses on his American Idol time and career as a country singer.  Since most American Idol contestants and winners usually are eventually forgotten, McCreery's book is a little different in that he is one of the few that has maintained a successful career.  Just ask any teenage girl.  However, I am not a teen age girl, nor am I a country music listener, so I will be evaluating this book simply as an autobiography. 
McCreery is young, 22.  So this book is relatively short and doesn't have a lifetime of ups and downs.  It focuses on a regular teen kid who gets thrown into something huge and to him, wonderful.  He doesn't have any of the usual problems of the young and famous, so the book is mostly a fish out of water story.  It is written in the same style of speech that he has.  Accent, slang and all.  I would recommend this to any of his fans for sure, and even to some that are wanting to break into a music career of their own.  Not a bad book.  I received this book from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for my honest review.