TV Recap - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1-21 - Ragtag

I'd say they are setting us up for the finale, but there was a twist in there I wasn't expecting.  Not to say that they didn't set us up, of course.  I mean, those were quite some cliffhangers they left us with.

And there were flashbacks to help explain the history between Ward and Garret.  We see how they first met, when Ward was in prison for breaking out of military school and then setting fire to the family home with his older brother inside (he claims he didn't know anyone was there).  That leads to Garret breaking him out of prison.  He takes him to the wilderness to train, but that training amounts to leaving him there with some clothes.  Garret says it will be for two months, but it turns out to be six.  Ward has learned to survive, however, partially by stealing from the cabins in the area.  Then Garret teaches him how to shoot.  Finally, he lets Ward in on his secret, he's really Hydra working inside S.H.I.E.L.D.  In the final flashback, Ward learns he has been accepted to S.H.I.E.L.D., but in reality, he will be under cover for Hydra.  Garret tells him that he must never let himself get attached to those he is on assignment with - this is weakness.  As a test of this, Ward is told to shoot the dog who has been his only companion during this time.  He can't do it, however.

The only question this leaves me is, I sure thought that Ward wasn't his real name, but it looked like it was from the flashbacks.  Maybe I misunderstood something back there.

Meanwhile, in the present, our team is trying to figure out their next step in defeating Hydra.  Skye has created a Trojan horse, or at least part of one, that will infiltrate their computers.  They just need to find a computer to plug the rest into, and it will upload to all of them.

Book Review: The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes (Pickled and Preserved Mysteries #1)

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Great characters, good overall plotting

Cons: The plot's pace was a bit off at times.

The Bottom Line:

A pickled cozy

Characters already strong

I'll be back for more

Body in the Pickle Barrel

I must admit, I probably never would have picked up The Pickled Piper if author Mary Ellen Hughes hadn't offered me an ARC of the book.  I'm struggling with enough new series I want to try, I'm being very selective in the new ones I do buy.  But I'm glad I decided to take her up on her offer because this was a fun book.

Piper Lamb has settled into the town of Cloverdale, New York and opened a new pickling and preserving store.  What better way to help spread the word than to set up a booth at the fair in town, right?

Unfortunately, Piper gets more publicity than she bargained for when, on the second day of the fair, a man is found floating in her pickle barrel.  Even worse, a friend becomes the chief suspect since he had a very public fight with the victim the day before.  Can Piper find the real killer?

While I know I just mentioned Piper by name above, the book is actually filled with a bunch of charming characters.  There's Amy and her boyfriend Nate; Will, who owns the Christmas tree farm outside of town; and Piper's aunt and uncle for starters.  They felt real to me already, and I can't wait to spend more time with them in the future.  The suspect characters aren't quite as well developed, but they are developed enough to make us care about the outcome.

The plot did seem to slow down at times, and we'd get a couple of scenes in a row rehashing suspects without adding too much new.  However, when it all comes together at the end, the clues and red herrings are all present and explained perfectly.  I liked the fact that Piper and her friends worked together to solve the crime, although Piper did put the pieces together herself in the end.

The book is obviously setting things up for a romantic triangle that will really heat up in the next book.  I'm actually rather curious to see how that aspect plays out, but I'm not saying any more to avoid spoilers.  I don't see it playing out like it typically does in a cozy series, which is a nice change of pace.

When I saw the theme of this series, I must admit I was just thinking traditional pickles.  However, there are a wide variety of items mentioned over the course of the book that are pickled, and I'm actually quite curious to try a few.  There are two recipes in the back for those who want to try their hands at it, and neither of the recipes are for traditional cucumber pickles.

The Pickled Piper was a fun debut that I'm glad I made time to read.  I'm already looking forward to seeing what happens next to Piper and her circle of friends and will certainly be back for the sequel.

NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

TV Recap: Castle 6-22 - Veritas

I have been a 24 addict since hour one of day one (that would be the first episode, just in case you aren't familiar with the show).  I can't tell you how happy I was to have it back tonight.  But as much as I love the show, I always need some time to come down off the adrenalin rush it gives me.  So what I needed was a light episode of Castle.

What we got was "Veritas."

Mind you I am not complaining.  This was an outstanding episode.  But it was one of the darker, more serious episodes that finds Castle and Beckett up against overwhelming odds.  Plus, it involved Joanna Beckett's murder.  Heck, you could tell it was going to be a big episode by the fact that they flashed back to the season 3 ender and Montgomery's death in the "Previous on" recap.

It starts with Beckett out alone doing surveillance on Jason Marks, the money man who is helping the money flow to Senator Bracken's campaign.  She sees him picked up by a town car, but instead of following, she goes home and gets some sleep.  Castle, who is out on a book tour, calls to announce he's coming home until after the wedding, but then Beckett gets a call to a murder scene.

It's Jason Marks.

Ornament Review: Christmas Windows #5 - Whistle Stop Train Shop - 2007 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Little details make a cute overall ornament

Cons: None

The Bottom Line:

Wishing at window

Watch the train go around track

Christmas dreams are fun

Listen For the Train's Whistle on Christmas Eve

The Christmas Windows series from Hallmark is pretty amazing.  Despite the size of the ornaments, they still manage to work in some amazing details.  The 2007 entry, a train shop, is no exception.

The outside of this window features two boys, one taller than the other, looking in at the display.  They are both wearing blue and white striped hats, which make me think of engineers.  It's pretty adorable.  Because one of the kids is short, we can easily see into the window at the display they are looking at.  Here's the part where the detail I mentioned earlier comes into play.  The train in the window is on a circular track that goes through a mountain.  In the middle of the circle are some houses.  There are also some trees, and the entire scene is sprinkled with glitter, making it a winter wonderland in side.  The little boy in me loves it.  And we can't leave out the window display, which gives the name of the shop - Whistle Stop Train Shop.

When you turn the ornament around, you get a slightly different view of the train display.  While the mountain is blocking some of the detail, the rest of it looks just as amazing from this angle.  The shelves under the window feature a few train cars and two engines.  They aren't as neat as some of the shelves on others in the series, but that's a minor complaint.

The ornament has a nice base, so you can set this out with the rest of the series to display if you so desire.  I find the village makes for a nice addition under my Christmas tree every year.  The case is also where you'll find the 5 in a Christmas tree, denoting that this is the fifth in the series.

But you can hang the ornament if you so desire from the hook at the top of the ornament.  The ornament is perfectly balanced, so it will hang straight if that is your choice.

Obviously, I really enjoy this ornament.  I can just picture those boys standing in that window by the hour dreaming of finding their own train under the tree on Christmas morning.  And I like to imagine their joy when Santa comes through for them.

That's why I'm glad I collected the 2007 Christmas Windows ornament.  This train shop is a pure delight.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Christmas Windows series.

Original Price: $20.00

TV Recap: Once Upon a Time 3-20 - Kansas

They really had me going.  45 minutes into the episode, I was wondering how exactly they were going to stretch it out for another two hours, much less another 15 minutes.  Now, I'm wondering what exactly those final moments mean.

But let's back up to the beginning, shall we?  And maybe a flashback or two while we're at it.

The flashback was entirely in Oz and centered around the Zelena/Glinda relationship hinted at last week.  When we first arrive in Oz, Zelena is watching through a magic portal as Regina tries to master magic.  Then Glinda appears.  She actually thanks Zelena for showing the people of Oz what the Wizard truly was.  Then, she offers Zelena a chance at a new future.

Book Review: Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by Science Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith (Nick & Tesla #3)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great mystery with fun projects to build later

Cons: A couple of minor ones for adults, but none for the target audience

The Bottom Line:

Nick and Tesla are

Spy hunters in their new case

New gadgets to help

Who Is the Spy Their Mother Warned Them About?

Take two kids who are budding scientists and put them in the home of their slighty off center mad scientist uncle, and you've got a recipe for laughs.  Throw in a mystery and a secret that the kids' parents are hiding, and you've got the this fun series by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith.  Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle is the third book in the series, and it is one kids will definitely enjoy reading.

When the summer began, twelve-year-old twins Nick and Tesla were suddenly shipped to their uncle's house in Half Moon Bay while their parents went on an important government research trip.  Over the last two books, they've come to suspect that the cover story they were given wasn't the entire story, as evidenced by the black truck that followed them in book one.  Book two ended when a warning phone message from their mother, and that's where this book picks up.

As this book opens, Nick and Tesla are trying to make sense of that message from their mother warning them that someone is spying on them.  While Nick is suspicious of everyone they have met while staying with their uncle, Tesla is more willing to take a wait and see approach.

All that changes when one of the pendants their parents gave them is stole while the house is filled with strangers.  Is the spy among the group?  Can Nick and Tesla create some new gadgets to catch the spy in the act?

I thought after the first couple of chapters that things might be a bit slow and obvious in this book.  I really should know by now to never judge a book by the first two chapters.  After that, things picked up in a big way, and I couldn't wait to see who the twins would ultimate unmask as the villain.

I've remarked in the past that the characters are not quite as strong as they could be.  Based on the books I read and loved as a kid, I'm sure this is only an adult looking at a middle grade novel.  As long as the plot moves along, the target audience won't mind in the slightest.  Trust me, there is nothing to worry about here.

Between their uncle and his crazy inventions and some of the things that happen along the way, there are some great laughs in this book.  I'm sure kids will get as big a kick out of some of the developments as I did.

Which brings us to the science experiments.  There are step by step instructions for the new gadgets that Nick and Tesla create to help the catch the spy.  We get things like a code wheel, fingerprint powder, and a spy camera.  A couple are easy, but most would require some adult help, at least to create the project initially.  These projects would be great for upcoming summer vacation, for example.

I found Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle a fast and fun read.  Kids who enjoy mysteries or science experiments will enjoy reading this book.  I may be outside the target age range, but I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Looking for more science and mysteries?  Check out the rest of the Nick and Tesla Science Mysteries in order.

NOTE: I received this book via Amazon Vine in exchange for my honest review.

This review is part of this week's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.  As always, follow the link to read about more marvelous middle grade noels.

May 3rd's Weekly TV Thoughts

The Amazing Race - Maybe the Cowboys weren't so smart to give the Country Girls that pass earlier in the season.  Can't believe they've lasted this long, although hitting two non-elimination legs has certainly helped.

Dancing with the Stars - Candice was saved!  And they told her right away instead of at the end of the episode.  With all the injuries, it will be very interesting to see who can even dance this week.

Melissa & Joey - I was surprised when I thought they were going with a baby for Melissa & Joey.  It just seemed too soon.  The comic complications of the plot were pretty funny, plus it brought us a reunion between Lennox and Zander.  I'm a bit surprised they didn't talk more about Beth Broderick playing the doctor since she was Aunt Zelda on Sabrina for six seasons.  Yep, another cast reunion, even if just for a very brief scene.

Survivor - Tony has two idols?  Augh!!!  I so want him gone.  Although I have to say it was wonderful to see the guys pull together and keep the girls from out numbering them at the end.  They are usually way too stupid to pull that off.

Arrow - This show is getting so intense.  I was on the edge of my seat for the last 15 minutes, and I'm counting down the seconds until I can find out what happens next.  I don't see how they are going to resolve all of this or even any of this at the moment.  Everyone just seems way too much over their heads in danger.

The Big Bang Theory - I'm sorry to see Professor Proton died, but it was a very, very funny episode all the way around.  And it made me want to have a Star Wars marathon myself, although with church and ultimate tomorrow, I don't see that actually happening.  Maybe one year.

Ornament Review: Crush and Squirt - Disney/Pixar Legends #3 - 2013 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Perfectly captures this great father/son relationship

Cons: Would be nice to see more of Squirt's face.

The Bottom Line:

Swimming in current

Fun between father and son

Enjoy on your tree

Crush and Squirt Enjoy a Father and Son Moment

I've really been enjoying Hallmark's Disney/Pixar Legends ornament series since it gives us a chance to get some characters we don't normally see from them.  While we do already have a Hallmark ornament of Crush, the third in the series gives us a new pairing by mixing in Squirt.  That's why Crush and Squirt is such a joy.

Crush and Squirt are the two turtles we meet in the movie Finding Nemo.  They give Marlin a picture of a healthy father/son relationship.  And their relationship is captured perfectly in this ornament.

The ornament just features the two turtles.  Crush makes up the majority of the ornament, so it is nice and red, meaning it stands out well in your Christmas tree.  His head is turned so that he is looking at his right fin.  Squirt is resting on his right fin, and it looks like the two are deep in the middle of a conversation.  Both are smiling and obviously enjoying their time together.

If I had one complaint, is that Squirt's face is turned so much away from us that we really can't see it.  You have to turn the ornament pretty far around to see his face, and in doing so, you make it so we can't see Crush.  However, this is a small complaint overall since I do like the idea of these two just enjoying spending the time together, which is what is obviously happening.  Plus, it would be hard for us to see his face while he's also turning to look at his father, which is the entire point of this ornament.

If you are careful, you can set this ornament out to be displayed.  Crush rests on his two front flippers and a back flipper.  However, this pose is very precarious, and any little bump will cause Crush to fall forward and rest on his face instead.

Besides, this ornament looks so great when you hang it.  The loop is on Crush's back.  At first, he appears to tip to one side when you hang the ornament, rising Squirt up a little in the process.  The end result, however, makes them look like they are swimming through the EAC (East Australian Current, of course), which just adds to the fun and charm of the ornament.

And yes, this does have a 3 in a Christmas tree on it, denoting it's place in the series.  Not surprising, the symbol is on the flip side of the ornament, otherwise known as Crush's stomach.

Crush and Squirt were great minor characters in Finding Nemo, and it's great to see them and their relationship get the honor it deserves in this Hallmark ornament.  Any fan of the movie will want to track this one down.

And if you love Disney and Pixar, you'll want to check out the rest of the Disney/Pixar Legends series.

Original Price: $17.95

May 2nd's Book Beginnings and Friday 56

Good morning!  I just wasn't feeling like posting last night, so here's this week's Book Beginnings and Friday 56 posted on Friday for a change.

This week's book is The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes.

I was fortunately enough to get an ARC of this book.  My review will be up on release day - Tuesday, but for now let's just say I enjoyed it.

It begins with:

Piper's phone chirped just as she picked up a six-pack of sweet gherkins.

And from page 56, we get:

Piper picked up a copy of one of the tabloids from a nearby racks and pretended fascination with its latest alien baby headline but flicked her gaze between the newspaper and the burly manager.

And there you have it for another week.  Happy Friday!

Monthly Reading Summary - April 2014

Well, it's that time again.  Here's what I read in April.  The links will take you to my full review.

All ratings are on a scale of 1 (bad) to 5 (great).

Inherit the Word by Daryl Wood Gerber (Cookbook Nook Mysteries #2) - 5

The Cookbook Nook is hosting the town's annual grill competition, but things turn sour when the reigning champion is murdered before the first round even starts.  When a friend of Jenna's becomes the prime suspect, she starts nosing around to find the killer.

I love this small touristy beach town, and I have already grown to love these characters.  The plot was great with lots of good suspects and plenty of red herrings, too.  I can't wait to visit again.

Clammed Up by Barbara Ross (Maine Clambake Mysteries #1) - 4

Julia has returned to her Maine town to try to save her family's clambake business.  However, when the best man at the wedding they are involved in dies, it might shut the business down for good.

I found the first quarter a bit slow, but once the story really got going, it took off and didn't stop until it had reached the end.  Along the way, I cam to truly care for these characters.  The result was well worth reading.

Ghost of a Gamble by Sue Ann Jaffarian (Ghost of Granny Apples #4) - 5

Emma and Granny have traveled to Las Vegas to investigate a ghost haunting a lightbulb.  What they discover leads to a murder and a kidnapping.  Can they stop this new chain of events?

As always, the plot is strong with some nice work from the characters and plenty of great twists before it is all over.  The characters, new and old, living and dead, are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them.  All told, a great trip to Vegas that won't leave you broke from gambling.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willem - 5

Once again, Pigeon is facing something he doesn't want to do.  But after a fun day outside, he really does need a bath.  Can you convince him to take one?

These picture books are always funny and charming, and this is certainly no exception.  You'll love the end result, too.  (Heck, I think it would make a great follow up.)

Poached by Stuart Gibbs (FunJungle #2) - 5

When Kazoo, the koala on loan to FunJungle, is stolen, Teddy finds himself the only suspect anyone is willing to consider.  Can he stay out of jail long enough to prove his innocence?

I've been waiting a long time for a follow up to the first in this series, and I wasn't disappointed.  The characters are still great, the mystery is complex, and there are some funny and scary moments.  The book's target Middle Grade audience will love it just as much as I did.

Veronica Mars: TheThousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham (Veronica Mars #1) - 4

Set a couple of months after the movie ends, Veronica is hired to find a college student who vanished from a party during spring break.  With the tourist industry in town losing money, can Veronica find this girl?

The plot was worth of the franchise with some great twists and turns.  The characters were also true to themselves, and I loved spending time with them.  My only real complaint was that I missed the snark of Veronica's voiceover narration from the TV show and movie.

Blue Sea Burning by Geoff Rodkey (Chronicles of Egg #3) - 5

The final book in this middle grade trilogy finds Egg struggling to find a way to bring down his arch nemesis, greedy slave trader Roger Pembroke.  With pirates, sea battles, and romantic complications, he'll have his hands full trying to do it.

The series goes out with the same fast action and wonderful characters I've been enjoying the entire way through.  The humor scattered throughout helps as well.  All three books are highly recommended for kids and adults.  Just be sure to read them in order.

Murder on Bamboo Lane by Naomi Hirahara (Ellie Rush #1) - 5

Elllie Rush is a rookie with the LAPD bicycle patrol division.  Her desire to become a detective gets an early start when she gets involved in the murder of a classmate.  Is she helping the investigation?  Will it help or hurt her career?

This new series from Naomi Hirahara is off to a great start.  The characters are fully formed already, and that gives a depth to the plot that I really enjoyed.  The plot was interesting with some nice misdirection and twists along the way.  I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Gluten for Punishment by Nancy J. Parra (Baker's Treat #1) - 2

Toni Holmes is opening a gluten free bakery in the small Kansas town where she grew up.  She's expecting a little trouble from the local wheat farmers, but someone throws wheat filled balloons during the grand opening.  Then a dead body is found outside her front door.

I liked Toni and the rest of the characters.  However, I found the plot frustrating because events doubled for any real clues or twists.  Poor editing left in several major mistakes as well.  I won't be going further with this author.