Scientific Keys: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga Scientific Keys: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga by Ray Long

This is definitely a book to have as a hard copy. There is a LOT of great information about muscles, their placement in the body, antagonists and agonists, etc. It is a little overwhelming, and thus me saying that it would be good to have on hand to re-read often. For yoga teachers, this book is incredibly handy. 

I loved the introduction and opening chapters. They set the book up well. The illustrations are also a major plus. But again, so much to learn.

Four stars

This book came out November 1, 2009

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

Captain Octavia Zarola has not had good interactions with the Valoff race. So when former general Torran Fletcher asks for her help in finding a thief. Octavia very much would like to turn the man down (Valoffs on her ship for the next two months? Blergh) but he is offering a buttload of money. And her team needs it. She might have been labeled a hero in the war between the Valoffs and the humans but that doesn't mean it came with a monetary reward. Nor does she feel particularly heroic. And that can be a problem since the Valoffs can read minds and Tavi has a lot of secrets.

Of course, she also gets to know more about the handsome Torran. It seems he has a lot of secrets as well. And his secrets are even more deadly. 

This book definitely sets up a series that I think is going to be very interesting but this book definitely suffered from having to do a lot of world building. There were repetitious points that never went anywhere in this book.

Three stars

This book came out 

Followed by Eclipse the Moon

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Summer on the Island by Brenda Novak

Three women head to a small island to try and hit the reset button on their lives. Marlow Madsen is recovering from losing her larger-than-life father, Senator John "Tiller" Madsen. It is her family beach house, Seaclusion, that they are visiting and her mother who is going through a health scare. Her friend Claire Fernandez not only lost her house amidst other drama and Aida has just gone through a divorce, represented by Marlow.  

Reese and Walker Cantwell grew up with Marlow since their mother was the housekeeper at Seaclusion. Reese was younger but he has grown up into the 22-year-old tennis pro at the local club. Walker, Marlow's particular playmate, had moved to Atlanta but has returned to be the chief of police.

There is a lot going on in this book. A LOT. It means that nothing is really ever developed as well as Novak usually does. Definitely a beach read. 

Three stars

This book came out April 5, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own 

The Accidental Newlywed Game by Jaci Burton

We've sort of seen in previous books in the series that Honor Bellini was probably going to end up with her sister's ex-fiancee, Owen Stone. And, while that's a setup that I don't usually enjoy, I really like Burton's writing and thought she might be one of the authors that could pull it off. I really wish that there hadn't been so much secrecy. Also, the big ending was So Very Public. 

Honor is in Vegas for a conference. Surprisingly, Owen is at the same hotel. After a night out together, they wake up married. The chemistry is undeniable (at least to them; it took me a longer to buy in) and they decide to keep dating, but secretly until it becomes clear that it might be a longer term relationship that either thought. 

Three stars

Follows The Engagement Arrangement

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Frances and George have finally reached their wedding date. Which is grand because Frances is beyond ready to not have her mother underfoot. Sure, two families that are invited the wedding are close to mortal enemies but one of the gentleman can't come anyway. And Frances wants her brother Alonzo ("Lon") to have the chance to court Madeline Connor, the daughter of one of the men and the stepdaughter of Frances's good friend Willa. 

During the reception, Frances and George have photographs taken and, while posing by a window, see many people cross from their house to Mr. Connor's. It's just bad luck that Lon is the one founds standing over Mr. Connor's dead body. And, oops, he's holding the murder weapon

Putting off their wedding trip, Frances and George work swiftly to see if they can uncover the real killer before Lon is put away for murder. Complicating matters is Frances's mother who seems to have some secrets of her own.

A good addition to the series. You can jump in here but I do recommend going back to the beginning and getting to know the characters.

Four stars

This book comes out June 28, 2022

Follows A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder

Followed by A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder 

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Unmatchmakers by Jackie Lau

I unfortunately read this one after another Lau book which I thoroughly enjoyed and this one suffered in comparison. I'm not sure if it's because it took so long for the romance to really begin or because we never really got to know the main character because she spent so much time describing other people but I didn't really click with this book. 

Leora grew up with a number of aunties. Women who, like her mother, were disappointed by love. Now they are all gathering for a summer vacation together again but as adults. And Leora is discovering that Neil grew up to be a fine man indeed. All might be peachy except that both her mother and Neil's are actively working to keep them apart.

Three stars

This book come out June 28, 2022

ARC kindly provided by Kobo Originals and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Applying to work at the company that makes her favorite card game is Reggie Johnson's dream. She is startled to learn that the ad was not actually for her card game, it is to be an actual familiar for a practicing witch. In fact, she doesn't believe that is what is happening at all. Because magic isn't real. Is it? Either way, she's got a place to live an a salary is beyond any expectation she thought she could ever have. 

Ben Magnus knows magic is real. He's been practicing it for almost 500 years after all. And he's seen so many familiars come and go in his aunt's life; Reggie is just... ugh. Why is she even here if she doesn't believe in magic? 

When Ben's aunt is put under a hex, Reggie will have to figure out whether or not she's ready to step into an alternate world and broaden her own horizons, which is something she's found hard in the past. Though it is made a little easier by the fact that Ben is sure easy on the eyes..

This was a really cute start to a series. There were some info dumps but they were woven into the story well. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Four stars

This book came out April 19, 2022

Followed by What the Hex

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own