Shannon's Review - Chef-A-Rella by Marie Agerton

Title: Chef-A-Rella
Series: Not Currently
Author: Marie Agerton
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Lori Keehner
Genre: Fiction, Children, Fantasy, Royals,
Publisher: Createspace Independent
Received: Bought
Release Date: 2016
Pages: 32
Rating:




Author Marie Agerton’s Official Websites:



Website:
None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/writermarieagerton/

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
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Illustrator Lori Keehner Official Website



Website:
https://www.lorikeehner.com/

Blog:
http://lorikeehner.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Lori-Keehner-Illustration-100342983345719/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lorikeehner

Instagram:
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Shannon’s Thoughts:
Princess Danielle loves to watch cooking shows and make her own meal creations. Her mother feels she should learn dance and that princesses should not cook for others, but that a princess should have meals cooked for her. Danielle tries to please her mother best she can but sometimes events happened that change a person’s perspective.

The characters are cute and the art gives it a happy whimsical feeling. As princesses go Danielle is a kind, creative and respectful little girl. She continues to dance to please her mother’s wishes but also keeps getting pulled into cooking, which is her passion.

At first reading the book, the mother comes off pretty harsh until you get to the end of the book. I was annoyed at her attitude towards Danielle’s talent and thought that the book was going to be a little different at the end. Thankfully things work out.

Chef-A-Rella is a picture book that teaches you to follow your dreams with or without the support of those you love. With the hope that they eventually understand and encourage you to do your best.

Shannon's Review - The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Title: The Accidental Empress
Series: Sisi #1
Author: Allison Pataki
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Royals
Publisher: Howard Books
Received: Paperback Swap
Release Date: October 2015
Pages: 512
Rating:





Author Allison Pataki’s Official Websites:


Website:http://allisonpataki.com/

Blog:
None

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AllisonPatakiPage

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AllisonPataki


Shannon’s Thoughts:

A romanticized telling of the life of Empress “Sisi” Elizabeth of Austria and Hungry in the late 1800s. At the young age of 15, Sisi is chosen to be the bride of Emperor Franz Joesph after he rejects the idea of her older sister being his bride. Sisi accepts the proposal and takes on an unappreciated role as Empress. We follow Sisi life through three pregnancies, a turbulent relationship with her mother-in-law, and a husband who brings his mother everywhere even on their honeymoon.

I did not know anything thing about the life of Empress Sisi or Emperor Franz Joseph but now I have a new favorite royal life to follow. This book made me want to look up the actual history of the Empress. That is the badge of good historical fiction when it makes you want to read more about the subject.

According to many who live an area that Franz and Sisi reigned this book is very fictional and overdramatic. Well, according to a woman in my book club who visited the area it is. The tour guide said that Sisi was a complete diva and was not as beloved by the people as we think she was. In my opinion, I don’t think that will deter me from reading about this royal family.

This book also has a sequel called Sisi On Her Own. The sequel follows the later life of Sisi starting with her fourth pregnancy and probably ending with her assassination. I am looking forward to returning to Sisi’s story when I have the chance and any other books I come across.