Book Review: Harold and the Poopy Little Puppy by Ellie Crowe - #BookReview

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Harold and the Poopy Little Puppy
Author: Ellie Crowe
Illustrated by: Janet King
Reading level: Children's Book
Genres: Humorous | Animals
Release: August 31st 2018
Review Source: Author | TCK Publishing

It's hard to be a good dog, but Harold, the golden retriever, really tries. Then the Dad brings home Prince, a silly little puppy that the Dad says is smart and brave.

Prince! “Smart and brave!” Harold can hardly believe his ears! And, even worse, when Prince does a doggy-doo right in the house, the Dad blames Harold!

Harold thinks Prince is a poopy little puppy. How is he going to live with him in his house?

Kids with baby brothers and sisters will sympathize with Harold.

This book is laugh-out-loud funny for kids and parents. Perfect for early readers and the Common Core. Adults are allowed to laugh along as well.

This book is for early readers and young readers, ages 6-8 or grades 1 to 3 who like:

• Funny books about dogs
• Roald Dahl or Shel Silverstein
• Juvenile fiction
• Humorous stories

Fans of the Down Girl and Sit Series by Lucy Nolan, The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin, or Ice Cream Soup by Anne Ingalls will love this book.

Harold and the Poopy Little Puppy is a cute book that will read easily with children in elementary school. It's not your typical children's book as far as illustrations. You'll find that it has a couple pictures spread out through the chapters, but mostly words. So possibly the younger kids, might not be captured right away. I think for student's that are more advance in their reading, this is a good book to practice with.

The story itself was cute, with a some humor. Harold is the main dog that has lived with his owners for some time, and cue the new puppy into the family. That would be Prince. Harold is just not pleased at all that Prince is part of their lives. When Harold barks, his barks are describe as sentences in the books. So as if he was having a conversation with his owners and Prince. Now Prince, doesn't have this feature when he barks.

The story centers around Harold learning to live with Prince, while he keeps getting in trouble for things Prince has done. Of course Harold tries to explain this in hi sparks, so his owners know he didn't mean to make them get upset. But they lack the understand of his barks. Then towards the end of the story, Prince and Harold have a wonderful moment and everything finally begins to click with them two.

The book is a quick fast read and perfect for all dog lovers.

Audiobook Review: Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

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Scrappy Little Nobody
Author: Anna Kendrick
Narrator: Anna Kendrick
Genre: Nonfiction - Humor
Release Date: November 15th 2016
Review Source: Library | Simon & Schuster Audio

A collection of humorous autobiographical essays by the Academy Award-nominated actress and star of Up in the Air and Pitch Perfect.

Even before she made a name for herself on the silver screen starring in films like Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, Twilight, and Into the Woods, Anna Kendrick was unusually small, weird, and “10 percent defiant.”

At the ripe age of thirteen, she had already resolved to “keep the crazy inside my head where it belonged. Forever. But here’s the thing about crazy: It. Wants. Out.” In Scrappy Little Nobody, she invites readers inside her brain, sharing extraordinary and charmingly ordinary stories with candor and winningly wry observations.

With her razor-sharp wit, Anna recounts the absurdities she’s experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture as only she can—from her unusual path to the performing arts (Vanilla Ice and baggy neon pants may have played a role) to her double life as a middle-school student who also starred on Broadway to her initial “dating experiments” (including only liking boys who didn’t like her back) to reviewing a binder full of butt doubles to her struggle to live like an adult woman instead of a perpetual “man-child.”

Enter Anna’s world and follow her rise from “scrappy little nobody” to somebody who dazzles on the stage, the screen, and now the page—with an electric, singular voice, at once familiar and surprising, sharp and sweet, funny and serious (well, not that serious). 

Shut. The. Front. Door. This audiobook is pure gold.. If you’re even remotely a fan of Anna Kendrick you have got to pick this book. And better yet, you have got to listen to her read it on audio, it was a BLAST. 

So really, there isn’t a whole lot I can say about this book; it’s a book, about Anna Kendrick written by Anna Kendrick and read by Anna Kendrick about her being a scrappy little nobody. She dives into her insecurities that we can all relate to and she tells us hilarious anecdotes. Then by the end of the book I was convinced her and I could be best friends, still do actually. 

Basically that’s all you need to know. Anna is hilarious, awkward, down to earth, a little bit of a stoner, and someone you really want to keep listening to. It made me even more excited for her future career. I was first introduced to Anna when she was in Twilight and she was one of the cast members I made an effort to support their career long after and I’m glad that I have. So if you’re not acquainted with Anna I would do yourself a favor and pick up her book and a couple of her movies. 

Book Review: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

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Cream of the Crop
Hudson Valley Series #2
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: July 12th 2016
Review Source: Gallery Books

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is...cheese.

Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.

Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be...love?

Boom!

Alice Clayton just dropped the mic with this follow up novel in The Hudson Valley series. You normally don't expect the sequel in any series to be as great or better that the first novel, but Clayton had no issues at all proving me wrong. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Cream of the Crop, this Rom Com will have you in stitches and blushing at the same time. The first book Nuts was great, but Cream of the Crop has Natalie and she freaking rocks! Of course Oscar isn't too bad himself, sexy farmer that makes cheese is very appetizing, lol! 

Cream of the Crop is a refreshing story about two people that normally wouldn't be caught in each others different worlds, but gravity has them crossings path all the time. And when they finally meet one on one, it the the Fourth of July between those two. All this takes place in the best backdrop that Clayton describes throughout the novel. 

So do yourself a favor and pre-order this book, you are going to love it as much as I do. Clayton delivers books that will make your day so much better with her steamy-laugh-out-loud novels. 

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If you haven't read the first book in The Hudson Valley series, I strongly suggest that you do. That way you are familiar with all the characters in Cream of the Crop. And you can check out reviews from Jaime and I of Nuts that we shared HERE.

Book Review: Nuts by Alice Clayton

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Nuts
Hudson Valley #1
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: October 20th 2015
Review Source: Gallery Books
 

The New York Times bestselling author of Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?

Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.

This is the perfect title for an Alice Clayton novel.  Anything different, just wouldn't be right. After giving us the Cocktail series with names such as Wallbanger, Rusty Nailed, Screwdrivered, Mai Tai'd Up and Last Call, this new book Nuts, make all the sense in the world. If you are not familiar with Clayton's book and you love a good adult contemporary with humor that will make you laugh out loud, then grab a book and get familiarized pronto.

I knew when I began reading that I was in for a sexy time with lines that would make my day all the better. I absolutely loved the Cocktail series, so the fact that I enjoyed reading Nuts didn't surprise me at all. Everything you come to love about Clayton's writing is there inside the pages of Nuts. You have the snarky-lovable characters and toe-curling sexy times that make this book sizzle. You will not be disappointed when you finish the last page. Highly recommended!!!

Check out Jamie's review below to learn even more about this fantastic book.

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Roxie has the life she wanted. She is out of the small town she grown up in and is living in Los Angeles. Not only this but now she is a chef to rich people and celebrities. But then she gets a phone call and turns her back on what she is making and everything goes up into flames! WHAT IN THE WORLD! Her business is in flames because of butter! She looses clients and is stuck. Soon she receives a phone call from her mom to come home to help with the family diner while her mom goes on an adventure of a lifetime, which in turn gives Roxie an adventure of a lifetime right in her home town of Bailey Falls. Her first day and she literately falls all over Leo. After that she runs into him all over town, until finally they decide to have fun for the summer until she returns to LA.

What I enjoyed most about NUTS is all the Bee moments in the book, lots of LOL moments. Also, watching how she lets in a guy which she never has before, and in turn Leo letting her into his world like he hasn't let anyone in years! I love their nick names for each other, it is very sweet how he works in his farm but has the kindest hands when he is with Roxie and being intimate. I love the small town talk to and how what ever is seen is spread around town quickly! Every woman has tried to catch Leo's attention but just Roxie walking through a door, turns his head and instantly has his full attention! 

This book is AMAZING. I felt in love with this book from the first page. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about funny situations, going back home to small town to help with family situations, even if one didn't want to go in the first place. Most of all, finding a new life and love! This is a great love story with some surprises along the way. If you like stories like this, then NUTS is a must!

Book Review: Tamed by Emma Chase + 5 Fun Facts

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Tamed
Tangled #3
Author: Emma Chase
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: July 15th 2014
Review Source: Gallery Books

In the third unforgettable book by New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase, Matthew Fisher—the best friend of Drew Evans from Tangled andTwisted—wants to settle down, but he’ll have to overcome the mistrust of the vividly unique Dee Dee Warren. Includes a bonus short story, Holy Frigging Matrimony!


Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: girl meets player, they fall in love, player changes his ways.

It’s a good story. But it’s not our story. Ours is a lot more colorful.

When I met Dee, I knew right away that she was special. When she met me, she thought I was anything but special—I was exactly like every other guy who’d screwed her over and let her down. It took some time to convince her otherwise, but it turns out I can make a convincing argument when sex is at stake.

You might know where this story’s headed. But the best part isn't where we ended up.

It’s how we got there.

Emma Chase has done it again with her new book Tamed. It is a great story that follows up with the characters from the previous books, Tangled (book 1) & Twisted (book 2).

Tamed now focuses on Delores Warren also known as Dee and her relationship with Matthew Fisher. At first they really seem like an unlikely pair. Matthew is more reserved and predictable whereas Dee is just the opposite, with her loud clothing options and bright hair. She has spunk and Matthew loves it. The more the two hang out the more Matthew realizes that this relationship is different for him and even though in the past he was a player, he really wants this one to last. Dee on the other hand is trying her hardest to keep the relationship simple. She has a wall she keeps up in order to not give her heart away for fear of getting hurt. The pair end up getting in a fight and breaking it off and they are both miserable. After a week she comes to her senses and goes to tell her man she loves him. By the end of the book they both realize they can't live without each other and head to Vegas and get married. 

 
It is a great book that makes you laugh and cry. I would totally recommend it.

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Check out the these fun facts Emma Chase shared about the Tangled series:

You can check out our review of Tangled, the 1st book in the Tangled series by Emma Chase.