Daily Archives: November 21, 2020

The Chef’s Secret: A Novelby Crystal King

A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncle’s secrets–including the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate–properties, money, and his position–to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi’s dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni’s life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle’s secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi’s journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder–all to protect an illicit love affair.

As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi’s past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces–his brother Cesare and Scappi’s former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef’s recipes.

With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chef’s Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.

The Natural Orderby R.J. Vickers

Only young criminals are allowed at the Underground Academy of Magic.

When Tristan Fairholm is invited to study at the Underground Academy, he thinks he’s being transferred to a more secure juvenile detention center.

He hadn’t meant to give his bully a concussion. He had never even fought back before. But this time, something strange happened–something he can’t explain. A strange power surged through him, and the next thing he knew, the kid was on the floor, bleeding from his nose.

If he rejects the offer to study at the Underground Academy, Tristan will remain in Juvie.

But something doesn’t seem quite right about this new academy.

For one, it’s hidden away in the northern Rocky Mountains, where no one can find it.

For another, there are no students except the fourteen recruited alongside Tristan.

Oh–and they’re studying magic.

* * *

As he learns to extract and shape raw magic, Tristan finds unexpected friendship in his fellow students, from lovable Rusty Lennox to mysterious, fey Amber Ashton.

But the more he learns, the more the mysteries pile up.

Why are only criminals welcome at the Underground Academy?

Why are the students harvesting mountains of raw magic, if they rarely get a chance to use it?

And who is sabotaging their school?

What Bug Am I?: A Funny, Educational Story about Backyard Bugs. Bug Book for Kids with Insect Facts.by Skye Wade

The little spider doesn’t initially know who he is. Yet with the ladybug’s help, he meets different backyard bugs to understand who he looks like. By merging nonfiction and fiction, the author cleverly soars and scores in this nature book!

Fizzle the fear factor associated with bugs with this amazing book. All characters are cute and relatable, without evoking fear or disgust. They’re specifically endowed with human traits and emotions; and at the same time, the structure of their bodies is realistic. The book teaches friendship, benevolence, compassion, empathy, self-care, and cooperation.

It positively shows insects, indicates their role in nature and benefits to humans, and demonstrates how to purge young readers’ fears associated with them.

Besides, each character within the book has its own info-spread with large photos and interesting facts. At the same time, the book isn’t too scientific and isn’t overloaded with information. Fictional and educational spreads follow each other. They’re separated so it’s easy to skip educational ones for younger kids.

Your kids will learn more about bugs than their peers while also mastering key literacy skills. This book provides a hive of activity, as exhibited below:

• Large book format, appealing illustrations, and alluring photographs.
• The colorful illustrations take up the entire spread and contain a large number of details that are interesting to study.
• The book is designed for a wide range of ages and will last a long time: babies can examine the illustrations, older children can read for themselves, and study the facts.
• Special book formatting (paperback only), so that the child can read easily: paragraphs instead of solid blocks of text, double spaces between sentences, semantic hyphenations.
• Characters are personified to also teach critical social skills and socioemotional development.
• Perfect gift for any holiday, birthday, classroom gift for teachers, home library, etc.

Jesus, Superpowers, and the Bullyby T.M. Barton

For ages 8-12 (or younger if read with parents)

What if you were transported into the throne room and met with Jesus every time you prayed? What if you received superpowers at the same time?   

A new kid in Troy’s 5th grade class bullies him at every turn. Troy doesn’t know what to do. It wasn’t his fault, after all, that he was born with only part of an arm. If that weren’t enough, he’s struggling in math and forced to work with the bully to improve.

When Troy prays, asking Jesus into his heart, he is taken directly to the throne room of God and receives superpowers. Jesus says he can’t use his superpowers on people, so how is he supposed to handle the bully in class? How does he handle the demons that start appearing after Jesus gives him special glasses? 

Get ready for an exciting ride as Troy discovers superpowers, miracles, angels, and the love of God while learning who he is in Christ and maneuvering the challenges with the bully at school.