Fiction Addict

Genre: Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by:  Melody Ballard
Geiger is like no man you’ve seen or will ever see again.  No one really knows who he is, or where he’s been, or where he’s going; even he doesn’t know.  He is focused and unemotional, there is no warmth, there is no joy, there is no anger. Some may know what he does, but the man himself is a mystery. Geiger just is. Geiger is the Inquisitor.

Geiger’s specialty is Information retrieval; he has his own brand of torture.  His job is to get answers, and he always gets what he wants. His strength is his extraordinary ability to gauge and interpret every movement, and nuance and movement of his victim.  He can reach into depths of their soul without maiming their body.  Geiger is a living lie detector and he is totally focused.

When Geiger refuses to extract information from a twelve year old boy his own world changes. His is given an ultimatum –  extract the information himself  or the boy will be turned over to Dalton, the torturer who’s brutality is legendary. Dalton’s specialty is pain and mutilation.  Unlike Geiger’s victims, many of Dalton’s do not walk away in one piece, or alive.

This fast-paced story is filled with action, twists, suspense and a host of unlikely characters. There’s Geiger’s psychiatrist;  he’s  working with Geiger to find the cause of his  debilitating migraines and to uncover the mysteries of Geiger’s past. He is also going through a painful divorce. There’s Harry, Geiger’s business partner who arranges Geiger’s contracts and who deals with his own demons.   Lilly is Harry’s schizophrenic sister and Ezra is the twelve year old boy who is kidnapped.  Smith has done a masterful job of blending together these implausible characters.

The Inquisitor is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The plot is filled with  unanticipated twists and turns, the characters are vivid, and the suspense builds to a crescendo then climaxes to and unsettling end. I hope this review peaks your interest and allows you to embark upon a whirlwind journey into the world of  The Inquisitor.  To tell you more would only spoil the surprise.  I will tell you this, I have read that there is talk about making a television series based upon Geiger.  I highly recommended this novel to anyone  with a penchant for action packed thrills a minute.

Genre: Dramatic Fiction

Publisher: Dutton

Publication Date: April 12, 2012

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

An interesting debut novel, indicative of a semi-autobiographical story – Melanie Thorne’s Hand Me Down is the author’s descent into fiction. This unforgettable novel depicts the intimacy of a narrative memoir of a 14-year old girl struggling to deal with the chaos of an emotionally destructive life.

Elizabeth and her younger sister, Jamie realize early on that they don’t have anyone to depend on as they try to cope with the knowledge their parents are not only incapable of caring for them, but have little or no desire to do so.  After their mother, Linda chooses a man over them, she displays an incredible degree of indifference toward her daughters and their well being. What is even more disturbing, Linda didn’t toss her daughters aside for just any man, no, she sagged a real prize when she married, Terrance a convicted sex offender. Terrance is the kind of man who takes pleasure in tormenting Liz each time he brushes against her, breathes on her, licks his lips as he speaks inappropriately to her and prances around half-dressed, knowing Liz will remain silent because he’s already threaten to approach young Jamie with the same attention, if Liz doesn’t keep quite.  After the girl’s alcoholic father who faithfully beat Linda during their marriage, notifies the parole office that Terrance is in violation of his parole by living in the house with the girls; Liz thinks she, Jamie and their mother can get back to life before Terrance and perhaps enjoy their childhood in a normal environment. Instead, loving mom, chooses the sex offender over her own offspring. While Jamie is sent to live in a trailer park with her dad, Liz is shipped off to Terrance’s brother, Gary, and his wife. Liz can’t concentrate on her studies, friends or anything a teenager should be focused on, because she is overly concerned and rightfully so, about her and Jamie’s fate, considering no one else seems to be. Though she is mature beyond her years and is forced to accept what the adults tell her – “you’ll be okay.” “it’s not that bad.” “you’re strong.” – with the exception of her mother’s sister, Tammy who lives in Utah, everyone else has conveniently forgotten Liz is a child who needs to be cared for.

As Elizabeth struggles and pleads to be reunited with her sister and even her mother, she is bounced around like hand me down luggage. From her mother, to her perverted step-father’s brother Gary, to a neighbor, and then another relative, it is clear that the adults within Liz’s circle  are incapable of managing their own lives – and are not an exemplar role model for parenting; but of all the adults, Elizabeth and Jamie’s mother is by far one of the most despicable characters, who continues to lie and pull further away from her children.

Author Throne pulls deeply from her real life experience which can be visualized through her emotional prose as she tells this tale of the devastating consequences that occur following a mother’s decision to abandon her daughters for a sex offender – at some point it’s as if you’re reading Throne’s diary when she was a teenager, a diary of a child that continually ask and doesn’t understand, “why doesn’t my mother love me? And “why won’t anybody save me?”

Hand me down Liz is finally shipped off to Salt Lake City to stay with her mother’s sister, Tammy an aunt who loves and cares for her the way a child should be cared for – but it doesn’t end there. Question is, when and where does it end, and will Liz and her sister ever  have a place to call home sweet home, some place that’s considered their haven?  You’ll want to pick up a copy of Hand Me Down to learn what becomes of these girls who’ve been tossed aside by those that should love and protect them.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Chicklit

Publisher: Waterbrook

Publication Date: March 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

After an accident that destroys her professional dancing career, Sasha Davis hires a young woman named Evelyn to help her with basic care and household chores. Evelyn is madly in love with her fiancé and has decided to do odd jobs instead of going to college. Living together for the two headstrong women is difficult, until they learn to appreciate one another. Sasha’s husband, also a professional ballet dancer, contacts Evelyn when Sasha won’t respond to his attempts at contact. Although it ignites anger in Sasha, she an Evelyn soon open up to one another and help each other heal.
Written in the voice of both Sasha and Evelyn, Finding our Way Home explores the role of faith in life and in healing. In this story, Evelyn has a strong faith in God, while Sasha has expelled him from her life. She believes that God has let this career-ending accident happen, yet even when Evelyn faces tough personal challenges, she still maintains her faith. She helps Sasha realize the true nature of God, which then helps her move on in her life. Readers can identify with each woman’s feelings because Baumbich does such a good job of bringing the characters to life. The most important, said as Evelyn’s blessing at the dinner table, sums up the whole story, “Grace. Amen.” The struggle to accept God and the things that happen in life is perfectly illustrated, and explained simply by grace. Readers will be inspired by the message in this book and will cheer for Sasha and Evelyn as they both put their lives back on track.
This book is appropriate for any age.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Dial

Publication Date: September 8, 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

A dyslexic dropout with a gift for training dogs collides with a honor student and the result is an enchanting first love – until as with any boy-meets-girl story – something goes terribly wrong.

Paul Griffin’s latest gritty urban fiction Stay With Me unfolds on the streets of New York and stars 15 year olds, Mack Morse and Céce Vaccuccia – each the product of a single parent household that share a common bond of alcohol dependency, but at least Céce’s  mother is still maternal and caring, she just happens to be a self-medicating addict who engages in heavy episodic drinking to dull the painful worry of her son being away in the war …Whereas, Mack’s abusive, alcoholic  father is just a hateful mean so-and-so whose objectionable disposition intensifies with booze.

The story is told in alternating perspectives, by Mack and Céce over the span of 102 days, and through their voices, Griffin uses dramatic dialogue to illustrate the profundity of their relationship. Though he is kind-hearted with a passion for tough-talking Céce and incredible compassion for the rescue dogs he trains, Mack is fueled with uncontrollable anger which will evidently be his undoing. Céce is a cheesecake-hoarding exceptional student, studying for an entrance exam to a gifted-and-talented program.  She is slightly obsessed with the movie, The Outsiders and is under the impression she has ESP – according to her Grumpy had it and she bears the curse doubly because it skipped over her mother.  And best/worst of all, Céce is totally crushing on Mack.

Also featured in the story is an array of notable characters: Céce’s friend Marcy is beyond amusing she is downright hilarious and truly exemplifies the characteristics of an actual teenage girl.  Vic, is the Italian restaurant owner who employs them both; Anthony, Céce’s brave football-star-turned-line-cook older brother enlists in the military; Wash, a compassionate prison guard; Mr. Tompkins, a less-than patient, drill-sergeant on a mission; and, a colossal headed pit-bull, Boo. These secondary characters have been well-crafted by Griffin with believability and help bring the story to life.

The quirky characters and devoted lovable dog are the beacons that help illuminate this otherwise heartbreaking coming of age love story, which is reminiscent of a made-for-TV movie wedged between 288 pages.  Although targeted toward ages 14 and up, due to some content, this book would be more appropriate for readers ages 16 and older.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: April 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Mariah Lyons’ life is shattered when her father is murdered and her mother, an Alzheimer’s victim, is accused of the crime. The police believe Kathleen killed her husband during one of her lucid moments because of his infidelity. Desperate to believe her mother’s innocence, Mariah sets out to uncover what happened that night.

Father Aiden O’Brien tells her that just prior to his death, Jonathan Lyons believed he had found one of the greatest religious and archeological treasures of all time — a letter written by Christ to Joseph of Arimathea. With this new knowledge, Mariah is convinced that her dad’s murder is related to the parchment and not to his affair. She finds that those in her father’s close circle of friends are harboring hidden secrets of their own.

When people who were close to the late Biblical scholar start disappearing, it becomes obvious that no one is safe. Someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden and he/she will stop at nothing — not even murder — to keep it from coming out. Mariah will rely on Alvirah Meehan, the lottery winner turned sleuth, to solve this mystery.

In The Lost Years, Mary Higgins Clark returns with another suspense-filled novel that will keep one’s heart racing until the end when the killer is finally revealed in a shocking turn of events. With plenty of suspicious characters going around, the Queen of Suspense leads her readers down one rabbit trail after another that will have their mind spinning as they try to unravel the clues.

Clark’s fans will recognize characters like Willy and Alvirah Meehan and Father Aiden O’Brien who return once again, better than ever. As always, Clark delivers another great book which I definitely recommend.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: April 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

The murder of her cheating, ex-husband turned Kate Conway’s life upside down. Feeling lonely, betrayed, and hurt, the TV producer has spent the past few months dividing her time between work and sitting alone in front of the TV, eating take-out. Needing a change in her life, Kate accepts two job offers. The first is filming a documentary on convicts serving life without parole. The second is a reality show about the opening of an exclusive new restaurant — backed by none other than Vera, her late husband’s mistress.

To make matters worse, one of the investors is murdered and Vera becomes the prime suspect. Attempting to clear Vera’s name, Kate turns to the killers she’s interviewing for the documentary. She soon discovers that all of the investors have secrets and one of them is willing to kill to keep his/hers from coming out.

Clare O’Donohue’s Life Without Parole is an intriguing and edgy page-turner. This is not your typical novel with “good” and “bad” characters. On the contrary, all of them are guilty of something, ranging anywhere from lying to the police and obstructing justice all the way up to murder. No one in this book is quite what they seem. The challenge is figuring out what they are trying to hide.

Kate is an interesting character to follow. In spite of her cold and abrupt outlook on life, deep down she has a soft spot for people as proven by her attempt to help her ex-husband’s lover. O’Donohue also has a way of making even the most flawed character sympathetic — even the killers serving life sentences. I would recommend Life Without Parole to mystery and suspense fans.

Copy received via NetGalley from the publisher.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication date: February, 2012

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

Taylor M. Polites’ debut novel, The Rebel Wife, is set in the post-Civil War South and involves the struggles of Augusta Sedlaw Branson, or Gus, against the poverty and deprivation she faces in the wake of war.  Married to Eli Branson for the financial security of her, heretofore, wealthy family, Gus discovers upon Eli’s death from the mysterious ‘blood fever’ that she is in dire straits, money-wise.  Her cousin, Judge Heppert, takes on the role of advisor so that Gus and her child can live on what’s left of their estate.

Heppert’s son, Buck, has come home from the war and wants to court Gus, who loved him before the war started.  But now, Buck seems to side with his father in telling Gus that, though the mill her husband owned is making good money, her husband debts will get most of it.  Gus cannot believe she’s left in such a mess and her servant, Simon, once her slave, agrees with her.  It seems Eli has left a chest filled with gold and everyone wants to find it.  In an unlikely partnership and a dangerous one, Gus and Simon try to get to the truth about Eli and his shady business dealings. Polites does a fine job of describing the ruined South:

And now my husband has died and left me a widow.  The first pale hints of sunrise creep into the sky to color it a hard gray like gunmetal.  Simon’s lamp still burns in his bedroom window.  He has waited up all night.  But I want to linger with Eli.  I do not want to move.  I do not want to leave this room. Why do I wait? The word widow vibrates in my head.  It rolls on my tongue.  Widow. My mouth shapes the word silently.  I have counted so many days until I could call myself by that name.  Widow.

My one quibble with the book is that the story is told in present-tense, which seems an unusual choice for historical fiction.  Using present tense does not add to the immediacy of the events, nor does it seem to fit.  But the dark, frightening moments in the novel evoke a bit of Faulkner and the atmosphere is just right–thick with the smell of magnolias and honeysuckle.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

Publication Date: May 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Katrina Burton is driving toward a new job, town, and life. Along the way, against her better judgment, she picks up a hitchhiker. Fearing for her safety, Katrina tells a “little white lie,” but when the man in her car turns out to be another teacher at her new school, she finds herself feeding the lie with more untruths in an attempt to cover it up. The situation quickly snowballs and Katrina is trapped in a vicious cycle.

It is during this time that a handsome stranger walks into her life and Katrina dares to hope that he will bring the solution to her growing problem. However, the situation is further complicated when Katrina gets caught up in the middle of a gruesome murder. Telling the truth now, not only will put the man she’s come to care for at risk, but also expose her own lies.

The novel, White Lies, is an intense, edge-of-the-seat thriller that will keep the adrenaline pumping. Jeremy Bates expertly drags his audience onto a terrifying, and emotional roller coaster. Even though the characters make all the wrong choices, one can’t help but want to find out what will happen to them. The book demonstrates the power and consequences of our decisions. While Katrina definitely got off easy, considering the deadly effects of her choices, I was glad to see that by the end she seemed truly remorseful and understood the importance of doing right — even something as simple as telling the truth.

Bates offered very vivid descriptions.  Even though this was good because it placed the reader right in the middle of the action, it also had a down side. I found the book too graphic for my taste, especially when the violence escalated. So much gory detail was unnecessary to get the point across.

The author offers a brilliant and shocking ending that I never saw coming. If not for the graphic content and explicit details, I would strongly recommend this novel.  As is, I have to advise readers to be aware of these things before picking up a copy.

Copy received via NetGalley from the publisher.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Baker

Publication Date: June 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Continuing with the Life at Kingston High series, The Best Friend follows Lishia Vance as she tries to figure out why her dear friend Janelle is dropping her like hotcakes to spend time with newcomer Chelsea Martin. In what she thinks is the worst time of her life, Lishia talks to Riley Atkins, a popular cheerleader who seems to have the same problem as Lishia. The two girls bond and Lishia is thrilled that the popular students are talking to her and inviting her to parties. She even manages to get a coveted spot on the cheerleading team. All of these things come at a price, though: Lishia loses people who really care about her and disappoints her family, all to be Riley’s puppet. Unfortunately, she is blackmailed and can’t do anything about it. How will Lishia un-friend Riley and go back to her real friends?
Just as in the first novel in the series, The Best Friend spotlights a student at the high school that has been mentioned before. In this case, the attention goes to Lishia, who appears to be cast off when a newcomer arrives. Carlson expertly illustrates several points of view all at once and creates a real person that the reader can like and tell to “get over it,” all at the same time. While some of the situations may be a little more outrageous that real teens encounter or create, they are realistic enough to be entertaining and educational. The message here is how to be a good Christian person and friend while maintaining integrity. Each book has its own message that students need to hear. The messages, presented in a format that teens appreciate, are Christian without preaching.
The books are suggested for ages 13 and up, but there are some mature themes that may be better suited for older teens and adults.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Zeta Comics

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

While on a field trip with classmates, Puggie Liddell, genius and social outcast, and his “annoying” sister Gigi, are plunged into a time warp and end up in the 1890s. They decide to visit the Chicago World’s fair to ask Thomas Edison for help, but instead of being helpful, Edison wants to keep the children captive so he can study the time warp. Puggie and Gigi manage to escape, but in the process they meet other self-serving historical figures who want to keep and study them. The teens must learn to rely on themselves, and each other, in order to get home.
This is a short story that is continued in comic-book fashion. It is a great story for young readers, who will appreciate the bantering between brother and sister. What most adults find to be annoying bickering is just how the siblings communicate. The language is current and understandable, and the story is not bogged down by the mechanics of time travel. The historical figures provide some education and entertainment as they are made into villains, of sorts. The whole adventure is short but fun, so ravenous readers will be able to absorb it quickly, while sporadic readers will not be bogged down in lengthy chapters. Adults will enjoy the fun history lessons while younger readers will appreciate Puggie’s perspective. I am not one to follow many series, but I am certainly looking forward to reading the next installment of Puggie’s adventures.
This book should be appropriate for young and young-at-heart readers.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Marianne Peters

The Last Storyteller is the last in a trilogy by Frank Delaney, but his tale could stand alone as a moving account of an Irish man trying to knit together his past, present, and future.

Ben McCarthy is struggling to overcome his sins and failures, mostly having to do with the disappearance of his wife Venetia twenty years ago. When we meet him, he is pursuing his vocation to become a storyteller under the tutelage of John Jacob Farrell O’Neill, a master of the art. The structure of the novel is actually an extended flashback as Ben pens his memoirs, addressed to his children, starting at the time his wife returned unexpectedly to Ireland with her second husband, an abusive showman who uses Venetia as a prop.

Years ago, Ben searched and found Venetia, already remarried. He was not courageous enough at the time to rescue her, and when he finds her abused and humiliated, he struggles to overcome his fear again. But rescuing Venetia is just one of Ben’s problems. He has accidentally become associated with Irish rebel gun runners, who use him as a cover for their operation. How can he rid himself of these criminals and keep Venetia safe? Why do the stories O’Neill tells him always foretell events in Ben’s own life? Will he ever be whole again? Or, like his native country, is he splintering apart?

Though a familiarity with Delaney’s first two novels in the series would enrich this novel, it is not necessary in order to enjoy Delaney’s piercing portrait of Ben, a man who longs for his lost family, but fears his own weaknesses have driven them away forever. His own tale is interwoven with myths, legends, and folktales from Ireland, demonstrating the power of story to shape one’s purpose and identity.

Genre: Chick-Lit

Publisher: CreateSpace

Publication Date: March 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Former boy-band member and heartthrob Zak Spencer is still recognizable but is too old for Hollywood, so he decides to go back to school and finish one class to earn his English degree. With the company of his dog Elvis and his party-boy friend Chay, he moves to the dorm at his college in Arizona. Immediately he meets up with the strict registrar, a zany classmate on roller skates, and his attractive-but-off-limits professor, Amy Campbell. Naturally, things don’t go Zak’s way and he is not sure how to deal with things in the “real world,” especially when it comes to pursuing Amy.
I was not aware of the Short on Time series until now, but it is a wonderful way to give readers a quick glimpse of a story without spending a lot of time. The book is only 82 pages and can be read in an evening. It is entertaining, funny, and heartfelt. There are several other titles under this series, and they look to be as interesting as this one. When readers need a “quick fix” with a current genre, this is a good fit. The writing is modern-day and easy to follow, but still holds the reader’s attention. While not deeply involved, One Last Class is still a fun pick-me-up.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Summerside Press

Publication Date: March 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

In the early 1920s, cousins Rosie and Lilly long for different things. Rosie wants to travel the world and become famous; Lilly just wants to return to her childhood home: a buffalo ranch in Montana. Rosie gets part of her wish as she and Lilly are in France to learn to be proper young ladies. After Lilly’s mother passes away and Rosie falls for the wrong man, each must face difficult decisions, and return to their faith, before they are able to move forward and be truly happy in their lives.
Warren, a bestselling novelist, weaves a novel that drops little historical references here and there: Lilly is enamored with wearing pants in public and Rosie is amazed at the people who dare to have alcohol at a party. Charles Lindberg is a household name and short hairdos on ladies are all the rage. This makes the story both believable and entertaining at the same time. Readers will love reading about what technological “advances” people have in the 1920s and they will love how spirited Rosie and Lilly are for women of their era. Both characters are likeable but flawed, and they are easy for readers to sympathize with them. They both make big mistakes in their lives but eventually turn to God and learn from those mistakes. While the ending isn’t exactly happy, it is a good resolution that shows that life isn’t always wrapped up in a pretty bow. Any reader who enjoys period novels will find Baroness fun, interesting, heart-wrenching, and entertaining.

Genre: Comedy

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: April 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Harriet Beamer, widowed salt-and-pepper shaker collector and expert cookie baker, can’t resist a bet. When she makes an incredibly stupid one with her daughter-in-law Prudence and loses, her “payment” is selling her house in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and moving to Grass Valley, California, with her son Henry, and Prudence. Other than to the Jersey Shore every summer, Harriet has no traveling experience, so she decides to rectify that by sending her possessions and beloved Basset Hound, Humphrey, ahead, and take public transportation to her destination. With the help of Amelia (as in Earhart), her trusty new cell phone, and the kindness of strangers, she is able to make a memorable trip of a lifetime while having experiences she’s never had. She is able to complete something of a catharsis by writing letters to her deceased husband, Max, in her journals.
From the first page to the last word, this book had my attention. I admit I was wary when I read about the main character being retired and a collector of salt and pepper shakers, but I quickly became engrossed in Harriet’s adventures. While I am nearly half her age, I have to admire her spunk and determination, which is what many of the people she meets on her journey say as well. She has inspired me to do more things because I never know when I won’t be able to. Harriet, in her own way, is a great role model for so many people who think that they can’t or shouldn’t follow her dreams. Magnin makes Harriet a likeable, although somewhat eccentric, grandmother-type person that readers can easily admire. She brings us into Harriet’s personal life and gives us a glimpse into Harriet’s relationships, which are probably similar to our own. Anyone looking for a change of pace in reading should thoroughly enjoy Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus.
Subject matter should be appropriate for young adults and up.

Genre: Dramatic/Suspense

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: March 2012

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey, FictionAddict.com

In Carry The One Carol Anshaw presents her reading audience with a  very ambitious fourth novel…one which spans from a 1983 Wisconsin wedding through the 2008 Election  as it chronicles a Chicago family thrown off balance by a fatal accident. This story explores how the lives of three siblings are affected after a fatal freak accident that ends the life of 10 year old  Casey Redman late one night on a dark dirt road with Nick’s drugged out girlfriend Olivia behind the wheel.

The reason I decided to pick this one up and read it through was because the last sentence of the first chapter really caught my attention – ‘…a jumble of knees and elbows, and then her face, frozen in surprise, eyes wide open-huge on the other side of the windshield.’  -  That sentence captured me and held the promise of a thrilling and interesting read. What I found within the two hundred and sixty nine page novel was; the (key) characters are rather tragic sheepish souls wondering aimlessly through their own lives, whose relationships are forged in grief and guilt. The storytelling is simple but is considered to be well crafted. The readers will follow the characters as they go through friendships and love affairs; growing up and finding success; marriage and divorce; parenthood, and the tragedies and joys of ordinary days.

There’s Alice, a basically sound lesbian that has a deep seated obsession for Maude and is also a gifted artist competing with her egocentric father; loving judgmental Carmen, a political activist; and then there’s  their brother, Nick, a once brilliant astronomer – who  swears off drugs in order to win back Olivia after she’s released from prison. It is through Nick’s drug dependence that readers are able to see how degraded a talented person can become, and how eventually a family can become as equally exasperated with the user because of it.

As for the title it comes from Alice, who says: “Because of the accident, we’re not just separate numbers. When you add us up, you always have to carry the one.” The author’s poetic prose is rather outstanding as she casually writes about these characters without the benefit of any real action – which will keep some readers turning the pages in search of, as they fall witness to Anshaw’s exceptional gift as a wordsmith and the comfort she maintains while utilizing her extensive vocabulary with words such as coalesce (amorphous, fatuous, confluence) with ease and relevance. Nevertheless, I found the story to be rather dry – then again, that is perhaps the writer’s intended goal, considering she is telling a story of the ordinary days of a rather ordinary family following an extra ordinary event – the most exciting and entertaining aspect of this read was held hostage within the first few chapters.

My final thoughts, I wanted and needed more zest, at least something that would propel me to want to vigorously flip through the pages, fall in love with the characters and be engaged by the story, alas Carry The One did not carry me through those various stages of interest as I’d hoped. And the book’s abrupt ending did not conjure up a sense of satisfaction or the desired anticipation of more.

Genre: Dramatic Fiction

Publisher: JX Enterprises, LLC

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey, FictionAddict.com

Miscellaneous Blues a commendable debut novel that will keep you hooked until you turn the final pages.  Sit back and meet sisters Sasha, Victoria, Mya and Lola – the Dexter Divas. Newbie author, Erica L. Crump writes with professional ease and produces a story that explores the elements of life through four sisters – it is a story that will touch on several emotions including fear, love, hate, betrayal and forgiveness.

The characters are full of life and completely believable and absolutely carry Miscellaneous Blues – plus-size Victoria makes you want to reach out and comfort her, as she struggles to get her weight down which soared to unmanageable proportions due to the abuse she is subjected to at the hands of her free loading live-in babies’ daddy of 16 years;  Mya is detestable, and not just because she’s carried on a four year affair with a married man, but because she’s an angry selfish insecure demon screaming for constant attention, and is more concerned with getting a husband by any means necessary than admitting she has a serious problem, she is also relentless when it comes to the hatred and violence she inflicts on her youngest sister; stunningly attractive, Lola the youngest is just trying to find her way back emotionally after the death of her one true love, and to steer clear of Mya’s uncontrollable wrath whenever possible,  as she raises her son alone; and finally there’s Sasha aka “Cookie” the oldest, strongest and most reliable of the four sisters, the one the other’s look up to and attempt to emulate, because from their standpoint, she and her super fine million dollar earning CFO husband have it all together, or so it seems.  However, Cookie’s OCD  and dependency on Xanax – something she’s been hiding from her sisters – is trying to take hold as she struggles to keep her perfect marriage from falling apart but behind the walls of her seven thousand square foot home of wedded bliss lie the most explosive and appalling secrets of betrayal one could imagine and will give new meaning to the word(s) emotional devastation and forgiveness -  during this turbulent time, Cookie the rock of the family, must draw heavily on her strength in God as she prepares for the possibility of divorce.

Miscellaneous Blues provides some tidy and not-so-tidy resolutions to the tough challenges the characters encounter. As the final pages were read, I found myself somewhat surprised and I’m certain that most readers may anticipate a resolution for some characters that never materialized, instead they will be shocked. Still, Crump has crafted a well written book that is ultimately attention-grabbing.  She deals with hard life issues in a painfully real manner. The subtlety in which Crump sprinkles Christianity and faith within the story is refreshing and not overly done. Miscellaneous Blues will make readers smile, think, become angry, and perhaps even cry; characteristic of a book worth reading. The conclusion of this story is a shocker that you just won’t see coming.

I anxiously await Ms. Crump’s next book, and a follow up to Miscellaneous Blues would also be a welcomed addition to my reading library.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

Publication Date: April 2012

 Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Detective Ash Levine’s romantic weekend is cut short when his lieutenant calls him to investigate a double homicide. One of the victims is the son of a city councilman notorious at the department for causing problems. With little to go on, Ash plunges into the investigation. The search for the killer will bring him face to face with all sorts of people — bereaved family members, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and even the Russian Mafia.

However, the truth comes at a price and it isn’t long before Ash finds himself in the crosshairs. Suspended from the police department and possibly facing criminal charges, Ash is determined to find the killer. He hopes to not only give the victims and their family justice, but also clear his own name.

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Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: January 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Chelsea Martin and her father have been on their own since her mother died four years ago. Since Chelsea has not had a female figure in her life, she wears dowdy clothes and spends her time studying and staying out of the limelight. When Chelsea’s father meets Kate and becomes engaged to her, Chelsea is worried. Kate is fashionable, outgoing, and drop-dead gorgeous. Chelsea’s fears are soon put to rest when Kate takes an interest in Chelsea and even offers her some beauty and confidence tips. Using Kate’s advice, Chelsea is able to reinvent herself when they move. Chelsea is amazed at all the newfound attention because she is suddenly more attractive and popular. She realizes, however, that outer beauty attracts less-than-appropriate attention from boys and the cold-shoulder treatment from girls. With the help of a new friend, Janelle, Chelsea conducts a social experiment that shows that just about everyone judges the book by the cover.
The first in a series of teen novels in the Life at Kingston High series, Melody Carson focuses on a different teen and his or her personal situations in each book. She starts with Chelsea and attempts to show how fickle and shallow teens are. She does a good job of showing that sometimes we are better off in our own skin instead of trying to be someone else. Carson uses realistic, current situations and applies a good lesson to them while still entertaining. The genre is nothing new, but Carson manages to find a way to engage adult readers as well as teens without being preachy. This series is off to a good start, and based on The Jerk Magnet, the following books should be just as enjoyable and helpful.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

An act of terrorism at what should have been a happy event leaves the inhabitants of Seagrove Village reeling. Sara and Beth have been best friends for years, but their relationship has been strained as of late. Beth doesn’t trust Sara’s new husband. She is convinced he’s up to no good. When the Robert goes missing, her well-known dislike of the man makes Beth a suspect.

As the investigations proceed, it becomes clear that someone they all know and trust is involved and Beth is a target. Amidst the turmoil and danger, she finds herself falling for the handsome Joe. Even though her head warns against it, her heart refuses to jump on board.

Vicki Hinze plunges her readers right into the middle of the action in Not This Time, and maintains the tension until the end. Not having read the first two books, I felt a bit confused in the beginning because there are so many characters to meet. However, once I got past that, it didn’t stop me from becoming fully engrossed in the story.

Hinze maintains a fast pace throughout the novel keeping the suspense going. Intriguing characters made me wish all the more that I’d read Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties first so that I could have better understood and known them and their background from the start. I must even admit I found myself developing a bit of a crush on Beth’s hero, Joe. The way he talks to her and looks out for her is enough to win any girl’s heart. I definitely recommend this book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: April 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

To Michael, Gerard Warner was always more than a renowned, suspense author; he was his grandfather and hero. An aspiring author himself, when Michael inherits his grandfather’s estate, he is anxious to follow in his footsteps. The office where Gerard Warner wrote all his bestselling thrillers seems like the most logical place to begin.

When Michael finds one of his grandfather’s old, unpublished manuscripts, a whole new world unfolds before him. The yellowed pages provide a gripping tale with Nazi spies, danger, and conspiracy as well as beautiful love story between the two main characters, Ben and Claire. As he delves into the young couple’s lives, Michael discovers a whole new side to his grandfather while possibly uncovering the answers to some of his family mysteries.

Dan Walsh’s The Discovery delivers two intriguing stories as the reader follows Michael’s journey as well as Ben and Claire’s. It is a novel about sacrifice, selflessness, and putting others first. In a world where lust and love are used as synonyms, and “I want you” and “I love you” are pretty much interchangeable, The Discovery is truly a breath of fresh air.

I enjoyed how the characters in the manuscript Michael discovered maintained values such as trust and loyalty even while surrounded by the events of World War II and all that entailed. Real events seamlessly woven in with the fiction offered the book a level of realism that often made it hard to know where one ended and the other began. I heartily recommend this novel to readers looking for a beautiful romance with a happy ending.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Science Fiction / Young Adult

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Published: April 2012

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Robert Laughlin is just your average, ordinary, everyday high-school guy. He gets nervous around girls, isn’t terribly popular, and gets picked on by his alpha-male older brother who happens to be mom’s favorite. But he’s also a contestant on a reality show, which isn’t very ordinary, especially since it’s called America’s Next Superhero. Oh yeah, Rob isn’t just a reality show contestant—he’s a superhero that goes by the name Failstate.

Despite his abilities, there’s a far cry between super-powered and superhero. Rob’s ability—causing the stable state of individual molecular structure to fail—is difficult to control and often results in him frying electronics and other such devices. He’s doing the best he can with what he’s got, hoping to win the contest in order to earn his superhero’s license, but it’s his charismatic older brother, a superhero known as Gauntlet, who gets all the praise.

Things go south when one of the contestants is killed during an off-show patrol. Failstate was supposed to meet up with Lux to go on patrol, but when he nears their meeting area, it notices some commotion and finds Lux already near death. Feeling responsible for her death, Failstate teams up with Lux’s partner Veritas and begins to investigate and opens up a mystery that goes deep into the heart of superhero history.

John Otte’s debut novel Failstate can kind of be described as Sky High meets The Incredibles, with twists that Disney wishes they’d thought of. At the core of the novel, is, of course, Rob aka Failstate. Rob is seen as a loser and a misfit even though he’s been given these incredible powers. He doesn’t fit in with the normal kids, because he has a secret too big to reveal, but he doesn’t fit in amongst the better-trained and better-powered cadre of superheroes either. To top it all off, his brother succeeds at both. Conflict surges between the two brothers, not just on the show and over their powers but also over the affections of a girl. It’s the classic underdog story rewritten in a fresh way in a fun genre.

It’s the theme of Failstate that really makes the novel. Rob is just an ordinary kid with extraordinary powers out to save the world. But isn’t that what all Christians are called to be? Combining superpowers and faith, Failstate goes through the same journey many of its young adult readers are living out, albeit on a less flashy and grand scale. The plot stretches the bounds of plausibility at times, but when you consider it centers on a reality show for superheroes, it’s quite forgivable. Otte’s debut packs quite the punch, delivering a fun read with some thoughtful themes. Wholesome, wholehearted, and wholly entertaining, Failstate continues the Marcher Lord Press tradition of offering up the very best in Christian speculative fiction.

Genre: Political

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday

Publication Date: April 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

In 1962, Roger Morgan is America’s next biggest celebrity, the “Father of the Fair.” He not only has the imagination to bring the World’s Fair to Seattle, but he also seems to know what to say and do at the right time. Without actually being a lawmaker or politician, he still manages to run the city. Four decades later, when Seattle journalist Helen Gulanos is assigned a piece on Morgan and the World’s Fair, she starts digging and uncovers some potentially damaging information about Seattle’s Best, just in time for his mayorial primary election. Even though Roger has a tidy answer for everything, has she struck journalism gold?
Alternating between 1962 and 2001, Truth Like the Sun highlights the coming-of-age of both America and Seattle. Before this World’s Fair, Seattle is just a rural city in the Pacific Northwest. Once the Fair arrives with its iconic Space Needle, it brings throngs of visitors, but it also brings corruption, gambling, and prostitution. This is one of the few World’s Fairs that actually makes money for its host city, but at a cost that could destroy many people. It is clear from reading the novel that Lynch has done extensive research on both Seattle and its groundbreaking Fair. Popular figures from the era are mentioned: Lyndon B. Johnson, Elvis Presley, Bob Hope. Even JFK was slated to be there but feigned an illness at the last minute in order to deal with a potential nuclear disaster. While Roger Morgan is fictional, he is most likely based on a real person involved with the Fair. Human and honest to a fault, readers can’t help but like Roger while being furious with his behavior. Helen is portrayed as a vindictive, shark-like reporter whose main goal in life is to destroy politicians. When these two mix, it makes for some interesting reading. We see both sides of their personalities and get a glimpse into what life is like when people are put on a pedestal.
This book contains mature themes and language and is not appropriate for young readers.

Genre: supernatural, mystery, thriller YA

Publisher: David C. Cook                 

Publication Dates: April 1, 2012

 Reviewed by Lori Twitchell

I’m going to start this review with a very clear warning. If you haven’t read either of the first books in the Solitary Tales series by Travis Thrasher (Solitary and Gravestone) just stop right here and go purchase the other books first. I hate to spoil a brilliant read for anyone and Thrasher’s series is exactly that. So if you’re not acquainted with the series, go get it now. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. And do not hesitate. When you’ve finished the first two books, then come back to find the review of this one.

Okay with public service announcements of the way, let’s get to the review!

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Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publication Date: December 2011
Reviewed by Melody Ballard

Genre: Alternate History, Historical

Publisher: Quirk Books

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

How cool would it be to interview a President from 100 years ago? In Heller’s Taft 2012, not only is it possible, but William Howard Taft’s legions of fans create a Taft Party and encourage him to run for another term. The story unfolds from Taft’s perspective as he wakes up in the present day, realizes he is underground, and more importantly, hungry. He moves around, is able to unearth himself (on the White House Lawn, no less), and is promptly chased and shot in the leg by a Secret Service Agent. He is interrogated and subjected to many medical and DNA tests and is declared to be a healthy former President of the United States. Gaining instant notoriety, Taft is followed around as though he is a rock star and even has his own Secret Service Agent protecting him. He eventually meets his biographer and great-granddaughter and is encouraged to run for President with his great-granddaughter as his running mate. As the story moves along, Taft embraces modern conveniences and learns how to function in the year 2012. He also gets a lesson in modern politics.
Taft 2012 contains an interesting subject idea, but this is becoming the norm for Quirk Books. Heller manages to intersperse history with complete fiction and has fun resurrecting one of our lesser-known and less effective Presidents. He peppers the book with newscasts, both real and fabricated, about Taft and his actions. He clearly demonstrates his knowledge of Taft’s personal and political lives by mentioning some lesser-known facts. One thing that is still puzzling, however, is how Taft ended up buried on the White House Lawn. According to the biographer, he just vanished on Roosevelt’s swearing-in day, never to be seen again. It would have been nice if Heller had taken some literary liberties and just made up some kind of story. Otherwise, the story is fun, easy-to-read, and informational. While it is a historical novel, it does maintain a lot of historical integrity about a lesser-known President. Readers of historical fiction and anyone just interested in politics should have fun with this book.
Taft 2012 does contain some sexual situations, so it may not be appropriate for younger readers. Other than that, it is pretty safe for just about anyone.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant has four days left to live. Her best friends were both murdered exactly one year apart. As the last remaining friend of the childhood trio, Charlie is convinced she is the next victim. However, she is determined to not go down without a fight. For that reason, she has spent the past year training and preparing for January 21. Should the worse take place, Charlie knows who she wants to investigate her own death — Detective D.D. Warren.

In her line of work, D.D. has seen and heard a lot of things, but even this seasoned detective is surprised when she hears Charlie’s story after spotting her at a crime scene. At first, D.D. isn’t sure what to believe, but when evidence seems to tie Charlene to several crimes, the detective is certain of one thing. She is sure that Charlie is in the middle of something and is resolved to find out what.

Packed with heart-pounding intrigue, Catch Me is one novel that mystery and suspense fans won’t want to miss. Lisa Gardner creates a world so gripping that it will suck the reader in as the clock steadily counts down the hours until that fateful day. In a story where one doesn’t know who to trust, the reader will feel the walls closing in as an intelligent and unknown killer masterfully isolates Charlie, taking away anything that can protect her.

Catch Me is definitely a nerve-wracking plot that will keep the reader on edge. The author has found the perfect balance, knowing how to make one’s heart speed up without pushing it to the point of discomfort. While this is not the first story with Detective D.D. Warren, I didn’t feel like I missed any crucial information even though I hadn’t read the others. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Gardner’s novels.

Genre: Chick-lit

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Graciela “Ace” Jones is a feisty, plus-sized art teacher in the small town of Bugtussle, Mississippi. She and her girlfriends Chloe and Lilly each have issues: Ace has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Mason McKenzie, her boyfriend since they were 11 years old; Chloe has to deal with her abusive husband whose family is the pillar of society; Lilly just wants to keep her uncle’s secret in a small Southern town. They all are teachers at the local high school and must deal with the oppressive, mean principal Catherine Hilliard. With the help of a local wealthy eccentric elderly lady, Mrs. Peacock, they are able to make positive changes in their lives, but not without soul-searching and adventure.
Typical of the humorous chick-lit genre, Ace and her friends are sassy, confident, and outspoken, even in a tiny Southern town. Despite their partying ways, they do have a serious commitment to each other and will do anything to protect each other. Lilly and Ace go to great lengths to help Chloe leave her abusive husband, and Lilly and Chloe help Ace see what all she has going for her, even though she can’t see it herself. The book has a nice happy ending, but it’s fun to watch the complications play out on their way to the conclusion of the book. Mrs. Peacock and her friends are stereotypes of the older Southern lady: prim and proper in public, but more relaxed and sometimes inappropriate in private. In all, the characters are fun yet flawed, outrageous yet likeable. This is hardly a serious book despite dealing with love and abusive relationships, so it is a perfect beach read.
Due to mature themes, this book is not suitable for young readers.

Genre: Mystery – Thriller

Publisher: Dutton/Penguin Group

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels, has unleashed another mystery thriller with his latest novel The Hunter. Lescroart takes his readers on a surprising unplanned journey filled with a multitude of twist and turns. A young wife and mother is brutally murdered in her Bay Area apartment. Flash to forty years later, Private Investigator Wyatt Hunt receives an anonymous text, asking him “How did your mother die?” The texter insists that the murderer is still out there, and is willing to give Hunt clues as to the identity of murderer, but refuses to identify themselves. Also interesting is, the way Lescroart weaves fact with fiction by revisiting the massacre at Jonestown –  where over 900 people in a cult led by Jim Jones died in a mass suicide in 1978.

One can appreciate how Lescroart manages to grab the reader’s attention in the first chapter with that short simple text message from an anonymous and untraceable number “How did your mother die?” a question that leads Wyatt and his Hunt Club investigative team on a journey to unravel the mystery of his biological mother’s death.

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Genre: Romance, Suspense

Publisher: Whittier Publishing

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Ashley Dawson can communicate with spirits. When one sends her to a stranger’s house, her life changes forever. Nathaniel Marshall opens his front door. He isn’t happy with the interruption, but when he hears the red-head’s story he becomes livid. Nathaniel is no one’s fool and he won’t put up with someone coming to his own home and treating him as such, no matter how beautiful the woman standing before him might be.

Despite their rocky beginning, Ashley soon becomes indispensable to him. When someone begins stalking her, Nathaniel will go to any length to keep her safe. But how can he protect Ashley from someone who seems like a ghost? Her stalker is little more than a shadow, coming and going as he pleases. Then several murders occur and the message is clear — Ashley is next.

Aris Whittier’s novel, Secrets, is a fast-paced mystery with interesting characters and intriguing plots that easily maintain the reader’s attention. Several twists throughout the novel keep the audience guessing; my favorite coming at the very end. Whittier cost me a late night as I found the novel next to impossible to put down. Like Ashley, the reader finds him/herself sucked into Nathaniel’s world wanting to understand his dark past while rooting for him to overcome it.

As with her debut novel, Fatal Embrace, Whittier outsmarted me. I was convinced that this time I knew who was behind everything. Alas, I was wrong — again! I’m definitely hoping for another chance to match wits with the author. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

Those who liked Whittier’s first novel will be pleased to hear that Michael Carven makes a cameo appearance in Secrets. While I enjoyed the mystery and even the main characters, I was disappointed with the increase of explicit and unnecessary sex scenes in this novel in comparison to Fatal Embrace. The reader should also be prepared for some vulgar language.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Orbit, Hatchette Book Group

Audio Book Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Eli Monpress is a thief, a very good thief.  He has a bounty of $20,000 gold standards on his head.  He wants a bigger bounty; the reason for this is not made clear.  So he steals the king of a small county.  Eli Monpress is also a wizard, but not your ordinary wizard.  He doesn’t enslave spirits, as the “bad” wizards do.  He doesn’t trade his personal power for the strength of a spirit, as the Spiritualists do.  He talks to spirits, asks them nicely, and so on.  The kind he abducts, Henrith, is the king of a country that does not allow any kind of wizard inside its borders.

Miranda is a Spiritualist, sent by the Spirit Council to catch Eli Monpress, as he is giving wizards a very bad name.  Her timing is impeccable – she arrives and Henrith is kidnapped.  His brother, a man the Spirit council had neglected to mention to Miranda, ends up on the throne.  Raynaud, the older brother of Henrith, is a wizard, an enslaver.  He has wanted revenge ever since he was banished from the kingdom for being a wizard.

As one might image, there is lots of conniving going on and plenty of action.  Ms. Aaron can weave a story which turns in on itself again and again.  This is the first in (as far as I can tell) a three-volume series.  Luke Daniels reads the Brilliance Audio Unabridged version, and does a stellar job.  No trouble keeping characters distinct, which can sometimes be a problem in audio books.  My one issue with Daniels is simple.  Miranda has a companion, a Hell Hound.  It always sounds like Hell Town.  Other than that, I highly recommend Luke Daniels for your listening pleasure.

Caveat Emptor: No language issues that I recall; some of the battle scenes are pretty bloody.  It is described on the case as “adult fiction”; I think it would be fine for young adults above about fourteen or so.  It lists at 8 hours, 24 minutes.

Review Copy bought by reviewer.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Tyndale

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Teal Morgan-Adams experiences a series of emotional events after she is stuck in traffic during a typical L.A. earthquake. It all culminates in her fifteen-year-old daughter, Maiya, wanting to know who her biological father is. Even though she and her stepfather have an amazing and enviable relationship, she needs to have so many questions answered. In her quest to find out who he is, she learns that he did not abandon her, as previously thought; he never knew she existed because Teal never told him. During an extended visit to Teal’s small hometown in the Pacific Northwest, Teal faces all the memories and difficulties that drove her away in the first place. In the process, however, she grows closer to her half-sister Lacey and to Maiya.

In some ways, this is a contemporary drama that plays out in different and interesting twists; in others, it is a sappy novel that emphasizes the importance of family. Either way, Heart Echoes illustrates how Teal has grown both emotionally and spiritually from the time she leaves her hometown as a pregnant single woman to the professional, God-fearing, married mother she is when she faces her past. She knows she needs to have God in her life in order to do so, but it takes her a while to fully give over to Him. Once she does, it’s as if all things fall into place. Teal’s journey definitely shows her faith.

This story is not the most original one, but it is good at showing people how they can avoid major life mistakes. Teal, in thinking she is doing the right thing, actually causes more harm in the long run. Of course it ends with a sappy and happy ending all tied up in a bow, but it does maintain realism by reflecting on how families are today. Not everyone lives with two parents and a sibling in a house with a white picket fence and a dog, and Sally John make a strong case for being honest. By leaning on God and listening to her heart, Teal is able to be honest with those she loves and with herself.

Heart Echoes, with a hint of profanity, addresses premarital sex and drug use. It may not be appropriate for younger readers.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

 Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning

Publication Date: February 2012

Reviewed by Melody Ballard

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Harper

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

It’s everywhere, but you never see it; it could kill you, but you don’t even know it’s there. It’s another world completely, one you’re a part of even though you hardly ever realize it. It’s Micro and what you find there will be nothing like what you expect. Is this posthumous thriller, Richard Preston builds on the manuscript left by the late Michael Crichton to throw readers into a world every bit as terrifying as Jurassic Park. Only much, much smaller.

When seven graduate students jump at the chance to take a job with the startup company Nanigen MicroTechnologies, they think it’ll be a great opportunity to pad their resumes. They’re promised tools and funds unlike anything academia could offer. And Nanigen delivers in a big way. Of course it’s not all about science. Nanigen has a dark side as well, one that’s much more profitable than scientific discovery—at least in terms of cold hard cash. The students see Nanigen as an opportunity to discover the undiscovered, to explore where no one else has explored. But Nanigen CEO Vincent Drake has other applications in mind.

A few of those students uncover Drake’s plans and end up in a battle for their lives—shrunk to the size of the insects in the micro world. David versus Goliath plays out on a grand scale across the island of Oahu as the students must not only deal with their minute size, but the terrifying Micro world they’ve been thrown into. Each of their specialties and skills come in handy for their survival, but not all will make it back alive. It’s only a matter of a time before the effects of being shrunk kill them, so it’s a race against the clock to get back to Nanigen and somehow reverse the process. And even then they’ll have to find a way to stop Drake.

Micro is a truly immersive thriller, taking readers to a place they’ve probably never been before and showing them the true terrors that surround them and would certainly kill them if they were only smaller. Sometimes this causes the plot to get bogged down in explanation as readers need to be able to understand this new world. Sometimes the action gets broken down to explain some sort of scientific fact. But it does a have a purpose and overall the science of the book does not get in the way of the story and rather adds to its interest.

The group dynamic—these seven grad students who aren’t exactly the best of friends and have to figure out how to work together—is sometimes good, sometimes poor. Crichton and Preston do a good job of showing their struggles, idiosyncrasies, and petty feuds, but at points their pettiness just seems unbelievable given the fact they know that they need one another to survive. (Or maybe I somehow have some faith left in the human race.) Each character is also more-or-less an obvious achetype (The Leader, The Bully, etc.) rather than being three-dimensional.

In the end, Micro isn’t the instant classic the inside flap promises. The writing suffers at points (for example, at one point, a character who has had an arm paralyzed by a wasp sting is said to remove the stinger with both hands), the dialogue is somewhat stilted at points, and character development is somewhat weak, yet I still found myself drawn into the journey and kept turning pages. Micro isn’t Crichton’s best, but if you’re a fan of science or a fan of Crichton, you may want to pick this one up.

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Scribner

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Just about everybody wishes he or she could change the past to make the present better, but in 11/22/63, Jake Epping actually gets that chance. In 2011 Maine, his dying friend asks him to time travel back to 1958 to stop the Kennedy Assassination in 1963. While in the past, Jake changes a few other pieces of history and falls in love with a high school librarian. Eventually, Jake makes it to Dallas and is able to prevent Oswald from assassinating Kennedy, but not without some other strange events taking place. Of course King won’t let us have the happy ending we want, but he does give a “good enough” ending that sits well with the reader.
I have been a fan of Stephen King since I was about 12 years old, and I have come across various genres within the author: horror, sci fi, fantasy, and just plain novel. His latest manages to combine several things into one while making a fantastic story.

I imagine this story is written for many baby boomers who lived through the days of Camelot, but for those of us born after the assassination, it rings just as relevant. King produces a real hero in Jake Epping. He’s just a regular guy, but he does the right thing at the right time with what he has available to him. He “fights the good fight” and really cares about his friends and family. Best of all, he truly loves being in the past and living a simpler, although at times more awkward, life. It’s clear that King remembers a lot and has researched a great deal about the times, and he peppers scenarios with wonderful bits of nostalgia. Even those of us who are not Boomers remember a lot of the products and name brands he mentions. King is kind to his readers by making the time travel simple and easy-to-understand; we can take it at face value and just focus on the story at hand. Best of all, King throws in a few characters from his previous, and possibly upcoming, novels, for his loyal readers to see. We get to see how Bev and Ritchie from It are doing and we get to take another trek up Up-Mile Hill. It’s a delightful experience to see people from the past and possibly connect characters in this story to future ones. Leave it to Stephen King to make the story that much more fun!
As is typical of Stephen King novels, it contains adult themes such as profanity, sexual situations, and violence that are not appropriate for all readers. The book, however, contains a good message for everyone: we can’t change the past so we need to accept it and make the best of the present and future.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Dafina Books – Kensington Publishing Corp

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Deception, lust, and murder are a few of the ingredients that will keep readers turning the pages of Mama Ruby, by New York Times Bestselling Author Mary Monroe.

The story opens in 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana – and is the prequel to Monroe’s The Upper Room, and takes place during Ruby’s formative years – and boy how influential those years were in shaping Ruby into the character she became.

The down-home Southern names are earthy to match the thickness of the characters – Ruby Jean, Othella Mae, Beulah, Simone  are just a few of the names that are used to express the time period the story is set in.  Ruby is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter – supposedly meaning she has mystical abilities she wants nothing to do with. She didn’t need or want the responsibility, after all just being the daughter of a preacher was enough of a burden as far as Ruby was concerned.

You would think by being the daughter of overly religious parents it would have had a positive influence on her but it did not. Instead Ruby was the promiscuous ignorant young daughter of a preacher and the horrific and somewhat unbelievable consequences that occurred throughout her childhood followed her into adulthood and only seem to be compounded by her own actions.

The human elements of this story may cause many readers to become angry and perhaps even sympathize with the characters.  I was angered enough to put the book down, but had no sympathy for the characters; I did not like the characters, their lifestyles or what they represented. However, I wanted to know what happened, how the characters did or did not prevail over their grim circumstances.

This book contains some gritty as well as offensive language therefore; the recommended audience should be mature readers of ages 18 and older.

Review copy provided by author.

Genre: Drama, Romance

Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Karen Kingsbury’s Forever Faithful Trilogy brings together three heart-wrenching stories that confront readers with some of life’s most difficult trials. Kingsbury takes her readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride they will not soon forget.

In Waiting for Morning, Hannah Ryan’s closest companions are bitterness, anger, and hatred. A drunk driver took the life of her husband and oldest daughter. Propelled solely by revenge, Hannah is determined to see the driver pay dearly for his actions. In the process, she shuns God, alienates her only surviving daughter, and rejects anyone who doesn’t support her agenda. Soon her life has spiraled so far out of control that Hannah is not sure she can find her way back. It will take a kind prosecutor called Matt, a widow, and her husband’s dying words to set Hannah on the path to healing.

The second novel, A Moment of Weakness, follows the lives of Tanner and Jade, two childhood friends, who are separated only to find each other again as adults. They enjoy a wonderful summer together falling in love, growing in their faith, and learning who they are. Nonetheless, bad choices tear them apart once more. This time, it appears that all their dreams are gone for good. However, ten years down the road, Jade’s cheating husband wants to destroy her in a custody battle that is obtaining national attention and the only person who can help save her son is none other than Tanner himself.

Halfway to Forever, the final novel in the trilogy, reunites the readers with Hannah, Matt, Jade, and Tanner. Hannah has rebuilt her life with Matt. They are in the process of adopting a little girl, but when new information comes to the light, Grace is ripped from their home and lives. After having lost two loved ones already, Hannah isn’t sure she can survive losing yet another daughter. Meanwhile, Tanner and Jade are fighting a life-threatening illness. After years of waiting for the woman he loves, Tanner could still lose her and this time forever.

With these two couples, tears will be shed and lessons learned. In Waiting for Morning, Kingsbury explores the world of drunk driving and its devastating effects for everyone involved. She also shows that when hate and bitterness creep in, they corrode the soul like rust. Suicide is another topic touched in this novel. In A Moment of Weakness, Kingsbury expertly tackles the issue of sex outside of marriage and all the pain and suffering caused by stepping outside of God’s perfect plan for our lives. The last book, Halfway to Forever delves into life-threatening illnesses, abortion, and adoption. All three novels cover themes such as repentance and forgiveness. They show us, as the name of the trilogy so clearly states, God is Forever Faithful. This series is not a light read. It is for those who are willing to be challenged and confronted with truth. One doesn’t have to experience these specific issues for the books to apply. I was continually amazed at how many times I felt like the lessons or scriptures were written just for me.

The novels are infused with raw emotions and gritty reality that seize the reader. Relevant themes make the stories relatable. And while the author embarks upon controversial issues, Kingsbury handles them delicately from a faith and love-filled stance. Be prepared for tears. I had to pull out a Kleenex on more than one occasion. Many of the characters wiggled their way under my skin as I rooted for some and became utterly frustrated with others. Each book in this series forced me to stop, think, and analyze experiences in my own life. I recommend the Forever Faithful Trilogy to readers who are looking for happy endings without completely sacrificing realism.

Genre: Dramatic/Suspense

Publisher: Urban Books / Kensington Publishing Corp

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

D.L. Sparks, recently voted in as the newest member of the Atlanta Georgia Peach Authors, caught the attention of readers with her debut and sophomore novels is back with her latest dramatic suspense novel Between Friends, about A DEA agent and an APD Lieutenant who lock horns during a joint investigation that unearths cold-blooded corruption and heartless manipulation in this fast paced drama.

Between Friends opens as DEA Agent Orlando “Trip” Spencer has returned to his home town Atlanta to help with a complicated investigation. Trip didn’t want to take the case, he didn’t want to be back in Atlanta, but what he least wanted to do was to work with APD Lt. Lincoln Briscoe.

Between Friends, draws heavily on drug kingpins turning up dead and weapons being funneled into the county jail, but there is more than just a cat and mouse game of intrigue being played as this drama unfolds it is also packed with romantic complications and there is no telling what will happen when Trip and his closest friend, Idalis Arrington come face to face again.

Although they have been friends since early childhood, there is a wedge between Trip and Idalis’ relationship and that wedge is none other than Lincoln “Linc” Briscoe, Trip’s nemesis who’s been on a collision course with Trip since college. And just so happens to be engaged to marry Idalis, a complication that may very well affect Trip’s ability to focus on the case.

Trip learns that Idalis is in trouble and his efforts to protect her and investigate the slaughters taking place on the streets of the Dirty South take him all over the city of Atlanta – from Atlantic Station through Spaghetti Junction to a house in Cascade – a house full of secrets.

As the investigation gains speed the novel peaks up even more; emerging secrets threaten the pending marriage between Idalis and Linc. Unfortunately while trying to protect Idalis Trip’s partner, Philip “Big Phil” Porter is shot and left for dead.

Readers will appreciate that Between Friends does not disappoint once the mystery of Phil’s shoter is revealed,  as other suspense dramas tend to do. The adrenaline does not stop pumping and instead the rapid pace continues. The story does not become boring and readers will learn that the innocent aren’t always as innocent as they seem.

Sparks may not win an award of excellence (though there’s no reason she shouldn’t), she is still an author of quality that deserves recognition and merit for the realism she brings to her characterization skills. The realistic characterization of Trip comes to life while he investigates corruption, his relationship with his best friend Idalis and some childhood demons.

Some books defy expectations, some books defy critics, they are often the books readers call a darn good read – and Between Friends is one of those books. I have no doubt that Between Friends could very well become a New York Times bestseller and I’m hoping it will be adapted into a big-screen movie.

Between Friends is a must read and highly recommended for anyone who wants to become engrossed into a suspenseful entertaining storyline. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book for the story content and the characters that come alive throughout the pages. I want to thank both the author for her talent for being able to tell a story in such an entertaining matter.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Supernatural, Speculative

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Halloween, haunted towns, creatures that live in the dark and feed off people’s dreams—what more could a writer ask? Feast: Harvest of Dreams is the first book of Destefano’s I’ve read, a dark, otherworldly tale with a contemporary setting.  It starts out simple enough: a best-selling young adult fiction writer and divorcee named Maddie finds herself in need of inspiration for her book and relief for her soul, so she returns to a place she hasn’t been since childhood, a little cabin in a town called Ticonderoga Falls, taking her son and their dog with her.

Now, I would say that “little does she know, this is the wrong time to visit the woods,” but, to a writer, the lurking doom that awaits her really is a bit of a sadistic thrill and absolutely perfect for inspiration.  The downside, however, is that the inspiration luring Maddie is also likely to kill her. She doesn’t know what happens over Halloween weekend.  She doesn’t know about the creatures in the shadows who feed off people’s dreams and memories, or of the curse that’s settled on the town.  Nor is she aware of a childhood savior whose grief is responsible for all of this. She is, however, aware of something following her and the bodies that turned up, and she’s determined to find out what’s responsible.

Meanwhile, she’s met Ash, a strange man who claims to be the son of a man she met once as a child. We quickly learn Ash’s identity, but Destefano is very careful and very particular about how much she reveals when.  I’ll admit, it took forever, even in Ash’s point of view, to figure out exactly what kind of person he was, but I very much appreciate her care in not saying too much too quickly.  The truth is, Ash is all too familiar with the curse and its origins, and the creatures—eventually named Darklings—who feed off dreams and memories and once a year have a great hunt in which all of their marked humans are prey. Ash is master of Ticonderoga Falls and in command of the Darkling hunt, but he has a hidden wound that spells the end of the town if his enemies find it.

As a fair warning, Destefano’s story structure is different, and might it might take a few chapters for some readers to acclimate. However, she develops three-dimensional characters, even the bad guys, and her tale is steeped in rich history and various layers.  Maddie’s described as the protagonist, but in many ways, I believe that really falls to Ash, even if he’s a bit complicated and difficult to define as especially good or evil for most of the book.

I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Merrie Destafano.

Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: December 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Abby Goyer doesn’t know what her dad was thinking when he decided to move the two of them to Alaska. It seemed crazy – so remote, so out of the way. But that has Abby’s mind overworking: why would her dad move out here? When strange circumstances begin to circle her life in Alaska, Abby becomes convinced something evil is happening in the town, something her dad might just be involved in. And when a strange bald boy calling himself Martyr ends up with her, all Abby can do is piece together the strange facts and boil it down to the truth. The only problem is that when the truth is more horrible than a lie, how can anyone face it?

Jill Williamson has created something otherworldly all right with Replication: The Jason Experiment. She immediately captures the reader within the first few pages and never lets go. I found myself staying up late nights reading until my eyes couldn’t stay open any longer. I loved the characters, the plot, and pretty much everything else Williamson has done here. Taking a break from the fantasy worlds she built in her Blood of Kings trilogy, Williamson takes a definite turn into a realistic sci-fi world. No space ships or aliens, but plenty of creepy science to fill the pages.

The strongest thing going with Replication is definitely the characters: Martyr, who is so innocent and naïve, is written extremely well. The parts of the book told from his point of view are amazing. Williamson never deviates from describing the world Abby lives in with those innocent lenses over Martyr’s eyes. A parking brake becomes a strange stick with a button. Anything green is always related in shades relative to peas. It’s perfect. Martyr feels new and fresh even as he learns more about the strange world he’s arrived in.

And Abby Goyer comes across as a well-rounded female lead – going through the motions of a new high school, but retaining a very fresh voice and style in the writing and her actions and dialogue. Abby goes through some subtle character growth by the end of the novel, and it feels just right.

The plot twists around well enough. Sometimes it was a little easy to see where things were going to end up, but then Williamson surprises. The epic finale felt like something right out of Fringe or the X-Files. There’s a creepy tone in some places, and once a few parts of the story are revealed, it’s easy to be slightly put off by the implications. But by the time the book was finished, I kept thinking there had to be a way to continue the story in a sequel. Things do wrap up by the end, but it’s the characters I wanted to spend more time with.

Christianity comes up quite a bit in the novel, and at a couple of moments, it did feel like there was a lot of it. But that’s Abby’s character. She’s trying to work through her father’s issues with science vs. belief, and without her conversations with different characters, she couldn’t have had that growth. And that leads in to the large ethics questions Williamson raises throughout the book: how far is too far with science? Can there be places it can go that cross over a line? In the end, Williamson answers these questions through Abby and Martyr’s journey.

Replication is definitely a must-read. It’s got all the right things going for it: a creepy sci-fi plot, raw characters, and a great ending. Don’t miss this one. I know I’m now eager to go back and read Williamson’s other books, because one thing is certain: she has a very unique voice. And that makes for very unique books.

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

Man is man regardless of the century. Every struggle is ultimately with one’s self. Every decision a choice. An opportunity to be either zero of one. More often than not, we choose zero. But sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we win over the darkness. Exceed our specifications. He stoops. Touch the steam. Be a one.

(from Freeheads)

Sandfly is a debugger. For all us freeheads that means he serves at the whim of my masters, the Abduls, to correct whatever goes wrong with their machines. And they have many machines, all designed to do their work for them. But is hard for us to understand that since we are freeheads, unhindered by the constraints of an implant that prevents us from disobeying our masters in any way.

Sandfly is sent by his master to a place few of his world ever go – space. There he discovers a fantastic secret tool of interstellar exploration known as Dark Trench. What happens next is left for you to find out. You, meaning all you freeheads that dare read A Star Curiously Singing. People like Sandfly have paid a terrible price for instant and direct access to all the information of the world, freedom to think for themselves. And, freedom to know the truth.

More importantly it leads the reader to consider what Sandfly discovers on Dark Trench. “A” is not God. There is another. One who is so much more. He is “A³”.^. Does “A” stand for Allah in this story? We are never told. But there is no doubt who “A³”is. He is the One “who stoops” down to man and becomes one of us. He is the One who created all. The One who the stars sing about.

Continuing Sandfly’s story in The Superlative Stream, Nietz carried us on an adventure with Sandfly and his female companion, Hardcandy that is both dazzling and introspective. What they discover when they reach their destination challenges everything they have ever believed and known. With Dark Trench disabled, Sandfly and Hardcandy find themselves on a world of seeming blissful perfection. On this planet, the beings all seem to work in perfect harmony with no laws or implants to force them to do anything. But like many things in life, Sandfly comes to wonder if there might some hidden agenda in the beings’ interest in earth. What follows is beyond description.

Completing the Dark Trench Saga, we now have Freeheads. Sandly is determined to return to earth and see what has become of those he sent back with his revelation of a Star Curiously Singing. But Einstein was right about the speed of light (more or less). The 300 or so days Sandly has been on his journey equates to 40 years when he returns. Much has changed – much has not.

In spite of a brief stop on the moon and a reunion with an old friend, Sandfly can’t shake the calling he feels to take his newfound freedom to Earth. He’s been found by the One who Stoops – one totally opposite to “A”, the tyrannical god invoked to enslave earth’s masses. Now faithful to the true God, A Cubed, he determines to stoop as low as required to free mankind. In the words of Eric Wilson, “Burroughs and Bradbury, it’s a thrilling, deeply intelligent and deeply spiritual journey through a future that is all too real.”

Review copy provided by author. 

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc

Publication Date: Feb 2012

Reviewed by Melody Ballard

When Owen Allen began his journey from England to America, he left with the hope  of a new life for his sister Annie and himself.  Owen, selfless and optimistic knew that this new beginning would release his sister Annie from the tyrannical grip of their aunt, Eleanor Hargrave.  And so he sailed on that fateful voyage of the Titanic with shoots and seeds that he so carefully cultivated in order to renew the garden that was both his life’s work and his heart’s desire.  It was in America that 30 acres of Owen’s land was being cared for by his Aunt Maggie and it was here that he knew he would fulfill his destiny.

Owen’s journey intersects with that of Michael Dunnigan, a young stowaway on the Titanic from Shannon Ireland.  Michael was also a victim of  cruelty and was tormented by the fate that had befallen his mother and young sister. Michael’s life was forever changed by Owen’s kindness and strength that was a manifestation of Owen’s strong and unwavering faith. As Owen saw that Michael was safely in the lifeboat of the Titanic, he asked him to promise that he would continue his journey, would see that the garden in America would prosper, and that he would take care of his sister Annie.

Annie Allen, Owen’s sister was devoted to her brother.  She endured the difficult  times with cold-hearted Aunt Eleanor by believing that she would somehow complete Owen’s dream in America.   Her will was fueled in part by her anger toward Michael because he lived and Owen died. The fact that she had never met Michael had little effect on this grief and anger.

Twists of fate continue to impede Michael’s promise to Owen of bringing Annie to America. In time, through correspondence with her Aunt Maggie and later with Owen himself, Annie found that she could forgive. Her heart once hardened, opened through her faith; and hope and anticipation took the place of the darkness that had so consumed her. World War I soon changed all this.

Promise Me This is filled with characters so complex and alive that one might believe they are members of ones own family. This riveting story is mesmerizing and compelling  as well as historically accurate. Cathy Gohlke has extensively researched the times and lifestyles of those who may have lived during them; Owen was an actual person on the manifest of the Titanic. This novel of hope, redemption and promise amidst profound despair is one that will bring the story of the Titanic alive during her 2012 centennial.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

It has been such a long time since I found a book I truly could not put down — a book that made me want to skip sleep because I had to finish. And finally, I’ve found it: RETURN TO EXILE by E.J. Patten. Rarely can a book keep surprising me, keep me flipping pages faster and faster, and genuinely thrill me as a reader. But Patten has succeeded on so many levels.

Sky Weathers is a loner. He’s always been a loner, and probably always will be. Especially since his family moves all the time. Just as soon as the Weathers settle in somewhere, they pick it all up and leave. But at least Sky’s Uncle Phineas is usually around. Uncle Phineas always has a new puzzle for Sky to solve, another riddle to figure out, or some strategy game to play. And then the family makes the final move. To the town of Exile. And that’s when everything goes haywire. Uncle Phineas is missing, something terribly strange is going on in the creepy manor across the road, and Sky cannot figure out why oversize crows seem to be following him everywhere. But that’s just the beginning. Because Sky has landed right in the middle of a massive battle — between evil monsters and sinister hunters. But what’s even worse: all of them are out to kill one person: Sky Weathers.

Patten’s debut is exactly what middle grade fiction needs: a high action, thrilling mystery, with enough original monsters to fill up the pages. And top all of that off with some great characters — including the lead, Sky. While he is a loner, he never comes across as a cliché: he has a complicated history, and a very complicated personality. In many respects, his attitudes felt very real to life, and his conflicts unfold naturally throughout the story. The surrounding cast is fun and quirky, and the villains are equally complicated and highly surprising.

There is a high amount of fantasy that sneaks into this novel, and it is some downright fun stuff. Just when I thought Patten couldn’t top the last monster, he introduces another one just as frightening. One chapter later on introduces a pretty scary monster and delivers an epic action sequence that just does not let up. Throughout the entire book, whenever there is action it never drags. It keeps moving the reader along nonstop and straight to the end. The last third of the story is one epic final battle that really reminded me of Rick Riordan’s THE LAST OLYMPIAN. It’s one of the best climaxes I’ve read in a novel in a long time. It felt like this could be the last book in a series, not the first. I cannot wait to see what happens next in book two.

The plot twists around well, and if a reader isn’t following super closely, they might miss what’s happening. Patten often brings back small details from the beginning that have great meaning later on. In some ways, Patten uses some very J.K. Rowling-esque writing in his use of distraction. Rowling often had a reader looking off to the left when everything was actually happening on the right. Patten does this often as well, and it’s brilliant.

There isn’t much more to say. In some ways it’s astounding that RETURN TO EXILE is Patten’s first novel. He executes it so well that it makes anything else coming next that much more exciting. Time cannot pass soon enough until book two.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine Program.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Colt McAlister thought they had beaten back the evil alien race, the Thule. After shutting down a plot to mine earth’s resources, Colt hopes he can now return to regular life. You know, that thing where you can just go to school, hang out with friends, maybe get a part-time job at the local pizza place? But that’s where Colt is very wrong. Because the Thule are already plotting a new way to destroy humans and take the planet. Word has spread of a deadly virus appearing throughout the globe. The virus is incurable. People are dying. The government is hiding. And now, to top everything off, Colt and his friends Oz and Danielle are about to head out to the C.H.A.O.S. Academy to train. But before he can get there, someone is trying to kill him. Someone who looks very familiar. Someone he thought he could trust. Because it looks more and more like everyone he knows might just be in on it. Colt will have to trust in God more than ever before if he’s even to survive another day.

Jon S. Lewis introduced us to the world of Colt McAlister in book one of THE C.H.A.O.S. TRILOGY, INVASION. And now, about a year later, we finally get to see what happens next. INVASION was a great first book, filled with action, suspense, and some pretty good twists to the plot. Picking up ALIENATION, book two, I was really hoping for more of the same. And to a degree, that is what Lewis delivers again. The first half of the book seemed to wander a little bit. It did have some great action sequences, and even right up front there is a pretty startling revelation about Colt, but it wasn’t until Colt and his friends arrive at the C.H.A.O.S. Academy that things really get rolling. In the last half, Lewis really returned to what made INVASION so great, and topped it off with two great climatic battles, all leading up to the final few pages, and a very exciting cliffhanger for book three.

Colt in some ways suffers from what seems to plague all “chosen ones” in books such as this. Colt is expected to lead C.H.A.O.S. against the Thule invasion, and he whines about it for a good chunk of the book. While not too excessive, and while it is the emotions Colt is feeling as his world is swept from beneath him, I couldn’t help but be reminded of other such heroes in YA fiction. Colt does go through some character growth as he battles these feelings, and that does make for a stronger ending to the book.

Lewis once again shines highly in his action scenes, and these are some of the best moments of the book — as Colt flies through the air on a hoverboard, facing down alien creatures and robots. The chapters move swiftly, and it’s not long before you realize quite a few pages have gone by.

ALIENATION definitely took a more futuristic approach in its setting and gadgets. Not that INVASION didn’t have a futuristic feel to it with aliens and planets and such, but INVASION had such a great throwback feel to it as well — with the idea of jet packs and the many World War II nuances. ALIENATION begins to move in a new direction as Colt moves on to the Academy, where future tools and ideas abound.

This volume also has some great bonus material, such as a graphic novel opening, and essays from Lewis on writing comics. He also provides a script for the comic pages, showing what goes into creating panels. Some drawings from different artists, rendering characters such as Oz, Danielle, and even Grandpa McAlister, are also included in the back.

All said, Lewis has delivered another great entry into this trilogy. And although it does suffer a bit from being the middle book of a series, it definitely promises good stuff to come for the finale. For fans of good YA science fiction, ALIENATION is worth a read.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Horror, Suspense

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

New York City residents Susan Wendt and her growing family need to find a bigger home. When Susan sees an ad for a walk-up brownstone in a good neighborhood at a steal, she can’t believe her luck. She and her husband Alex fall in love with the home and rent it immediately from an elderly and eccentric landlady. Almost immediately, Susan hears noises and learns of the horrible fate of the previous tenants. Susan starts to see bedbugs in her bed and on her body, but nobody else can see them. She even sees bedbug bites on a person in a portrait she has painted. It’s only after she almost loses her sanity that her family believes her, but by then things have turned for the worse.

It’s been a long while since a book has been able to capture this reader’s attention by being scary. Most scary books really aren’t, but this one is an exception. Maybe it’s because it is a psychological thriller and the story affects the mind. Maybe it’s because the story deals with creepy-crawlies, and one can just feel them on the skin while reading. Many times this reader has stopped and looked at her arm to check for bugs or bug bites. In short, Winters is able to scare the reader because he grabs the imagination’s attention and sends it to wild places. Not many people can tolerate bug infestation stories, and that is part of the fun. Truly, the reader will get the willies.

Bedbugs gets at that niggling little feeling that, even though the reader knows the story is fiction, it COULD happen, and that makes things all the scarier. While it doesn’t come at the reader with blood and gore and tons of suspense, it makes up for it by planting that seed of fear in the brain. From there, the reader takes over and helps to create a wonderfully fun and creepy story. Readers who want to be given a good scare won’t be disappointed. Because of the subject content, it is suggested for mature readers only.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

A far cry from his usual fast-paced, gory, psychological thrillers, James Patterson’s Christmas Wedding instead focuses on family, love, and happiness. Gaby Summerhill, widowed at a young age, has decided to get married again. In a surprise twist, though, she is not revealing who the groom is- not even to the potential grooms! She has three dear friends, each of whom has asked her to marry him. Only when she walks down the aisle will she reveal her new husband. Of course, her adult children have to arrive at her home in time- and safe and sound. Each child’s arrival brings a back story that brings life to the characters.

Since it is such a sharp contrast to Patterson’s usual storyline, it takes the reader a few chapters to become accustomed to the different format. Obviously, Patterson is not a romance or family drama writer, but he manages, along with the help of DiLallo, to do a decent job crafting a nice family story. The only thing that is somewhat distracting is the fact that Gaby believes it is fun to make such an important decision all by herself. By not telling anyone else who the groom will be, she appears a bit self-centered and spoiled. Readers will get to know her warm and caring personality as the story progresses, but this one major point keeps sticking out as well. Of course, the story has a happy ending, so everything is neatly tied up with a bow by the last page, which is probably what most readers of this genre want. In this particular situation, it works.

The Christmas Wedding deals with spousal abuse, alcohol abuse, and drug use, so it is intended for mature readers only. Otherwise, it is full of quirky family love. Patterson and DiLallo understand that families are not perfect, and they demonstrate that in the Summerhill family dynamics. While not everything will be resolved, there is definitely a strong sense of family love and support that makes the reader happy with how things go.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Suspense, Drama

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Publication Date:  June 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Since only a handful of books are worth reading past its opening paragraph, chances are most readers will pass on a novel and perhaps opt for mindless television, unless the author manages to capture their attention, and propel them to read chapter-after-interesting-chapter, and that’s what Miranda Parker has skillfully been able to do in, A Good Excuse to Be Bad.

Miranda Parker’s debut novel, A Good Excuse to Be Bad showcases a female heroine, Angel – but don’t get it twisted, the name Angel was given to her, but not necessarily earned. This former investigative reporter has become a tough bail recovery agent, aka – Bounty Hunter, with ballistics training, a black belt, and an array of weaponry; and she’s on a mission to save her twin sister, Ava from a scandalous murder charge, and when I say scandalous, I do mean the murder of Bishop Devon McArthur was scandalous.  The action, humor, and thrills keep this fast-paced suspense intriguing while the anticipation unfolds and until the final pages are turned.

Although Angel reluctantly promised the annoying pain-in-her-side detective Salvador Tinsley, that she would not interfere with the investigation, and despite the animosity between Ava and Angel, she is still compelled to save her sister from the death penalty or at the very least, life in prison – so Angel launches a private investigation of her own.  The road to the truth, leads her on a journey of lies, deceit and more dead bodies. At the same time, Parker throws Rev. Justus Morgan, the lavender scented handsome pastor into the mix as Angel’s wanna-be sidekick with hints of a taboo romance on the horizon – to learn how far it will blossom, readers will have to follow the story to a close.

While on the trail of clues, evidence and motives – not to mention romance, readers will discover some surprising elements that will keep them perplexed and captivated to find out where and with whom the trail will end.

Ms. Parker has cleverly added some twists and turns that are sure to keep any suspense reader fascinated until they uncover every mystery, including why Angel detested her brother-in-law and what caused her, her sister and the Bishop to be on such bad terms – how does their estranged relationship and the six-year old history between Angel and the sizzling-voice Detective Tinsley fit into this web of deception and the murder investigation?  Oh and then there’s finding out who Rachel is and what if anything, is her connection to Bishop McArthur’s murder.  This story will have readers on edge as they continue to clutch the pages to find out who amongst the suspects is actually guilty of the murder(s).

Readers don’t pass on A Good Excuse to Be Bad, by talented author, Miranda Parker – if you do, you will regrettably miss out on a very interesting read of dramatic-suspense with a cultural trip through the streets of Metro Atlanta and its surrounding areas.

After reading A Good Excuse To Be Bad, I know I want to find out what happen to put Angel on bad terms with Ava and Devon – so I’m really looking forward to joining Angel on her next manhunt in the latest Angel Crawford installment, Someone Bad and Something Blue, scheduled for release in July 2012 from Dafina Books.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Penguin Group

Release Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

The latest installment of the Elm Creek Quilters series, the Wedding Quilt jumps ahead approximately 25 years to celebrate Sarah and Matt’s daughter Caroline’s upcoming wedding. Friends and family from near and far congregate at Elm Creek to share in the happiness of the event. Instead of spending a lot of time and detail on the current wedding, however, the book focuses on “catching up” on some of the guests and giving their back stories. While the readers certainly get to indulge in the fun of a wedding, they also learn “whatever happened to…” in relation to many key characters throughout the series.
At first, I admit I was a bit confused by the story. I understood that the story took place 25 years in the future, but I felt as though I were missing certain story elements, even though I had read all the previous books. I kept reading and found the stories of various previously-known characters to be interesting and fun. Some relied on historical events, while others were purely fictional. It was fun to “catch up” with people and to learn the history of the area. Best of all, we got to read about a surprise at the wedding: a secret gift Sylvia had set away for each of Sarah’s twins before she died. Of course, the story has a happy ending.
Despite the initial confusion, the book quickly warms up Chiaverini’s fans to another installment of her beloved characters. As usual, Chiaverini keeps things clean and friendly. Even people who have disagreements do not become violent, and there are no sexual undertones or vulgar language. People who love quilting, people who love to read historical fiction, or even people who just love a good story will be happy with this book. Even older teens will be able to read the story without parents worrying about offensive content. The only caveat is that the chapters are very long, so if planning on reading before bed, the reader may have to stop in the middle of a chapter. While not terribly upsetting, it does create a bit of frustration for those of us who like to finish a chapter before closing the book. Still, the Wedding Quilt provides enough heartwarming scenes to keep its readers happy.

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Publisher: Scribner

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

As thousands of fans flood Charlotte for Race Week, a body is discovered in a barrel behind the speedway. When the news gets out, a pit crew member walks into Temperance’s office and tells her that his sister, Cyndi, and her boyfriend, Cale, disappeared 12 years earlier, but no bodies or traces were found. At the time, Cale’s involvement with an extremist group brought in the FBI. However, a few weeks later they closed the case and walked away.

When Temperance delves into the case, strange things start to happen. Examination of the remains uncovers the presence of a deadly substance. Then the body disappears from the morgue shortly after. The FBI returns with more secrets then ever and an employee of the Centers for Disease and Control goes missing. As always, the harder the mystery, the more determined Temperance becomes to unravel it.

Kathy Reichs returns with yet another winner as she transports us into the world of NASCAR. Flash and Bones is packed with the intriguing forensic descriptions and suspense that her fans have come to love and expect. There is no question why Reichs keeps hitting the bestsellers list. Throughout the novel, she will introduce her readers to both fans and fanatics of racing. As always, Temperance is brilliant at work; however, but her personal life is in shambles. The heroine juggles three men in her life; each one has been her lover at one point or another during the series. They continue to depend on her emotionally, but in return are unavailable for her needs. She also deals with the pre-wedding meltdowns of an ex-husband’s fiancée. Flash and Bones is another must read for anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.

Genre: Inspirational

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Thomas Brandt and his family have had a rough year. Because of his Dad’s drinking and abuse, his Mom was forced to move Kevin and his sister to a new town with a new school and a not so new trailer. Try as he might to fit in, he’s become the target of the school bully and to make matters worse, his mother can’t even afford their Christmas this year. Desperate for help, she reluctantly decides to sign her kids up for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Kevin Morrell can’t believe his bad luck. With Christmas just around the corner and the birth of his twins on the horizon, he finds out his business might be forced to close. As Kevin swims around in a sea of self-pity and worry he tries to be strong for his family. He wants to have the faith of his wife, but he feels farther away from God than ever before. Despite his doubts, he decides to do one small act of kindness that will unknowingly change the lives of two families.

Paper Angels is one I’ve been anticipating for some time. Jimmy Wayne’s hit song, “Paper Angels“, has been a source of inspiration to his fans for many years and I couldn’t wait to see how Thrasher and Wayne translated that message into novel form. Fans of both will instantly be aware of the dual story line throughout the novel that subtly (and sometimes not-so subtly) reflects the personal experiences of both. For this reader at least, those personal touches made the story lines and characters that much more intriguing.

Despite how much or little you may know about this partnership, rest assured Paper Angels can be enjoyed by all. The timeless messages of sacrifice and hope are on beautiful display throughout, all set perfectly against the backdrop of the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Yes, this story tries hard to bring awareness to that program, but it also accomplishes much more in the end. As a parent I walked away from this story with a greater appreciation for my family and how blessed I truly am. More importantly, this story has stayed with me throughout this holiday season reminding me that true joy comes from giving.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Children’s Series

Publisher: Abrams, Harry N., Inc.

Publication Date:  November, 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Writer Jeff Kinney continues his diary entries about the adventures of his stick figure Protagonist, Greg Heffley in, Cabin Fever – Diary #6.  In this installment Greg finds himself in trouble again and this time he is somehow involved in vandalizing school property. The other perpetrator is of course, his closest friend, Rowley who, as usual is along for the ride.

The winter holidays is the setting for this Wimpy Kid installment.  While Greg is trying to figure out what to put on his Christmas list, he chronicles a number of events that take place prior to the blizzard that trap him and how he manages to deal with them – including, looking for ways to earn money to buy Kritterz Kash to care for his demanding cyber pet.  At the same time, Greg’s little brother, Manny has his own solution to Greg’s virtual pet problem, and it’s a doozy.

And like any average stick-figure adolescent, Gregg has finally grown up a bit, and is a little less whiny.  Although his primary goal is to earn money to care for his virtual dog and not get busted for defacing school property, Greg brings attention to the fact that recess has become like a prison yard after the last of the playground equipment is taken away – because according to Greg, the school was having trouble paying the insurance for the playground, so each time there was an accident or injury they removed the offending piece of equipment – until there was none, and the children were left with no recess-time activities.  Greg may very well be on to something,  because, that may be the lame explanation for the lack of physical activity in today’s public schools.

After successful eluding the school authorizes as well as the police for his accidental crime, to Greg’s surprise he is anonymously ratted out by none other than one of Westmore Middle School’s usual suspects.

An entertainingly quick, easy read for young children.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Lucas Lane Publishers

Publication Date: December 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Travis Thrasher hit his stride when he began releasing The Solitary Tales a year ago. With both Solitary and Gravestone, Thrasher set up a complex and multi-layered world for Chris Buckley to enter and explore, while dealing with his own heartaches. So many mysteries surround the small town of Solitary, North Carolina, and many of them have yet to be solved in the first two books of the series.

So, keeping readers happy while waiting for the next installment in this astounding series, Thrasher has released this “b-sides,” Something I Can Never Have. If you have not read both Solitary and Gravestone, stop now and go back to read those first. I promise you won’t be disappointed. But for those who have finished those dark and creepy tales, read on.

Something I Can Never Have is a collection of letters written by Pastor Jeremiah Marsh, who is introduced in Solitary and continues to scare throughout Gravestone. Some dark mysteries circle around the pastor, and here, we have a glimpse into his life before coming to pastor the large church just outside the main town of Solitary. What follows is definitely a frightening collection, and truly begins to show Marsh’s slip toward madness and suddenly chilling recovery. There are definitely a few surprises lurking here, and while not solving the greater mysteries of Solitary, this short novella does give us a few bits of information about Pastor Marsh.

Since Jeremiah Marsh is penning the letters comprising each chapter, the writing style differs from the main books. It doesn’t come across as choppy, but instead flows in the unsettling manner you’d expect from Marsh. Parts of this one reminded me more of Thrasher’s Isolation, and the letters definitely dive into some deeper topics and very disturbing scenes.

In some ways, reading this short book was cruel: it truly reminded me why I loved The Solitary Tales, and it also reminded me of how much I couldn’t wait before Temptation, book number three, is released. It would be great if Thrasher released more “b-sides” – more short tales of various characters from the series. Fans will definitely eat it up. I know I did. And maybe, Pastor Marsh did too…

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Drama, Suspense

Publisher: Osmyrrah

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Antigone Brown is flighty and impulsive; when she gets flustered or depressed, she takes her vintage Ford Mustang and drives the open road to clear her mind. This upsets her logical, grounded husband, Sam, to no end. When Mercy hits the open road when she finds out she is pregnant, she not only frustrates Sam, as usual, but surprises him as well when she brings home a young runaway, Ryder. Ryder is from the inner city and has run away to avoid his abusive mother. Being the caring people they are, they take in Ryder as one of their own. Shortly after this, Antigone hears that a group of “concerned citizens” in her hometown of Mercy, North Carolina, has decided to ban books. Although Antigone is dyslexic and has a love/hate relationship with books, she takes a stand against this group of powerful women in Mercy. Of course, this affects not only Antigone and her family, but her friends and co-workers.
Sherry Roberts weaves an interesting story that immerses readers in the lives of the characters. We understand Antigone’s struggle and Sam’s frustration with her. We feel terrible about Ryder’s tough family situation. No matter one’s opinion of book banning, the reader is sure to understand Antigone’s standing up to the bullies in her life. It’s refreshing to see her stand up for what is right, even if it’s something that gives her grief. Reading is not Antigone’s strong suit, but she still risks so much so that students can have the freedom to read what they want.
In general, the story is tame and doesn’t have much in the way of violence. Many people do curse, however, and use some pretty vulgar language. Ryder comes from an abusive home, so those sensitive to the plight of abused children may not be comfortable reading certain sections of the book. There is also a scene in which a beloved pet dies, so anyone uncomfortable with deaths of animals may not be willing to read it. For a story on a different topic, however, Book of Mercy manages to entertain and delight the reader.

Genre: Military Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: Barbour

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Nightshade protects those in need.

But who protects Nightshade?

Someone has dismantled the covert group, scattering its members around the globe. Kazi Faron accepts the task of rescuing and reuniting the team. Her plan is to get in and get out. A plan that is easier said than done. Those who don’t want Nightshade back in operation will stop at nothing to keep the group apart. Kazi brings her own ghosts to the mix and if Nightshade’s enemies don’t finish her off, they will.

Griffin “Legend” Riddle sits in a maximum-security prison, charged with a murder he did not commit. When a mysterious woman shows up to break him out, he only has seconds to make his choice. He decides to follow. What comes next is a journey across countries and continents to bring home his team and uncover the threat to their lives. But can he depend on this independent, hot-blooded woman who likes being in charge?

Ronie Kendig hit a grand slam with the writing of Firethorn. It is the fourth book in the Discarded Heroes Series and she did not disappoint those of us who eagerly awaited her next turn at the plate with the bases loaded. The first three books were definitely hits, but Firethorn delivered the much-anticipated homerun.

Be prepared for a tear jerker. Kendig brings home the horrible and unfair cruelty of war, making readers aware of what our real, true life heroes and their families face every day. This book requires a box of Kleenex at your side. Saying goodbye to these characters who have become like best friends throughout the series is not easy.

Through Griffin and Kazi, two individuals with serious faith issues, Kendig shows the reader the importance of learning to trust, not only those around us, but God—the Ultimate Protector. Kendig’s fans won’t want to miss the conclusion of the Discarded Heroes Series.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Publication Date: December 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Every step of the way, Dan and Amy Cahill have fought against treacherous relatives, dangerous traps, and puzzles designed to break them apart. But now, Amy and Dan are facing their biggest threat yet: a mysterious figure only known as Vesper One. All they know is Vesper One has kidnapped members of the Cahill family from each of the five branches: Lucian, Ekaterina, Tomas, Janus, and even from the Madrigals. And unless the siblings steal priceless artifacts and artwork, Vesper One is going to kill the prisoners. One by one. And now with Interpol after them as well, it seems like the whole world is turning against them: no one can be trusted. There is no where to hide. And time is running out for the hostages. And when the phone vibrates with a text message from Vesper One, Amy and Dan must now try to track down another strange piece of an even stranger master plot. And with the revelations on the last few pages, not even the Cahills are prepared for the dark truth waiting for them in the end.

Jude Watson returns in her fourth entry for The 39 Clues saga, first in the Cahills Vs. Vespers series. A King’s Ransom begins with a bang, and continues with more clue-hunting and globe-trotting for the Cahills. Some might think after so many books ideas are running thin for the series. But Watson manages to bring things up another notch and creates some crazy puzzles that will leave readers scratching their heads until everything falls into place. And there are definitely many surprises waiting in this one. I couldn’t help gasping out loud at the final pages, and then declaring to anyone nearby, “I knew it!”

Dan and Amy continue to grow as characters, and there is a bit of a darker side to Dan emerging throughout The Medusa Plot and A King’s Ransom. Both of them have grown up a bit, and this is showing through in their thought processes and actions. Dan has reached almost a point of depression in trying to deal with the evils facing them, while Amy watches helplessly – wondering how she can ever get her brother back to the carefree and prank-loving kid he used to be. With the revelations in the end of this book, however, whatever comes next in The Dead of Night will be completely new and heart-breaking for the entire Cahill clan.

Watson is a master of action and just when you think she’s run out of ideas, she brings back some more to surprise and really shake things up. From a treacherous car ride in the Alps to a super creepy bone mausoleum, the Cahills will face some of their worst fears. Many of the supporting cast is back, including Hamilton Holt, Ian Kabra, and the infamous Jonah Wizard.

There are hidden messages to be decoded scattered in the book once again, and these are tough ones to crack. But readers who persevere will find more interesting clues to the Cahill world. The book also contains six new collectible cards featuring more puzzles and characters.

Be forewarned: if you have not read any of the previous 39 Clues books, it really is best to go back to the beginning: The Maze of Bones, and start from there. Otherwise, too many nuances and small details will be missed. And with one full eleven book series, two companion books, and now two more entries in the second series, this is definitely not something to miss.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Chick Lit, Drama

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: March 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

All her life, Lexi Baill has been neglected both emotionally and physically. Her single mother is a drug abuser who is frequently incarcerated or just plain missing. She has no other living relatives, so Lexi spends a great deal of time in foster families, where she just blends into the background. After her mother’s death, seventeen-year-old Lexi is both scared and thrilled to know she has an aunt who is willing to take her in and give her a home. Lexi moves to a small, mostly affluent island in the Pacific Northwest and, being an outsider, quickly befriends a girl sitting all by herself. They become the best of friends and are inseparable. Lexi’s new best friend, Mia, has a twin, Zach, whom Lexi likes romantically, but she will not act on her feelings out of respect for Mia. Eventually, Mia gives them her blessing, and Lexi and Zach become a couple. One night of partying right before graduation causes Mia to drive while intoxicated, and there is an accident in which Mia is killed. Lexi takes full responsibility and is incarcerated for the crime. The rest of the story reflects her and Zach’s family’s time of healing and eventual forgiveness.

Kristin Hannah has been a bestselling novelist for a while now, and it is easy to see why when she writes provocative and heart-wrenching stories. Every story is based on a charged, difficult subject, and she manages to throw a wrench into the system so that readers will be even more intrigued. She does this again by introducing Zach and Lexi’s baby, who is born while Lexi is in jail. She must give up custody of the baby to young, scarred Zach, so that the baby doesn’t end up living the same kind of life she had. Readers are easily torn between blaming Lexi for driving drunk and feeling such pain for her losses. Kristin Hannah winds up a good story with not necessarily a perfect ending, but an acceptable one. In the long run, it is probably more realistic.

Night Road deals with mature themes and may therefore not be suitable for younger readers. There are some curse words and sexual situations. There are scenes in which underage students drink and smoke marijuana, and of course there is violence in the tragedy of the accident. Because of these themes, readers who are not tolerant of difficult situations may want to steer clear of this book. Readers who are able to handle such adult themes will enjoy a sad but eventually hopeful novel.

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

It all began with a package. A package sent by Jake Ransom’s dead parents. When Jake and his older sister Kady both took out the last thing their archaeologist parents had left them, they didn’t know what to do with it. And then — the letter comes. Inviting both of them to be at the unveiling of a new exhibit featuring the last artifacts dug up by the Ransoms. But when Jake and Kady arrive, something strange and powerful is about to happen. Soon, Jake is sucked into another world: a place filled with lost civilizations and ancient secrets. And a brewing threat: the evil Skull King is waiting for his chance to strike against the peaceful land. Jake knows he has come for a reason. But it can’t be to defeat the most powerful man alive… Can it?

The premise of Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow was exciting: an Indiana Jones style adventure filled with fantasy reminiscent of Brandon Mull’s Beyonders. And James Rollins definitely delivers an adventure sprawling over worlds and through many different mysteries. Even by the end of the book, some things are left untouched — sure to be answered in further installments. Jake battles his way from one danger to the next, and Rollins provides a rollicking good story to match.

Jake Ransom himself comes across as slightly bland. He’s a somewhat typical hero for a middle grade fantasy novel: kind of an outcast kid in school who has a love for archeology, and an insatiable curiosity. And his curiosity ends up getting him into the most trouble. His friends, Pindor and Marika, round out the principal cast and keep things fun and lively. But one place where Rollins truly shines is in the dark creations he has stuffed into this fantasy world. There are a few truly terrifying creatures he’s described here, and some he’s pulled from ancient mythologies. The only problem I had was with his main villain, who seemed to be a direct knock-off from Lloyd Alexander’s Horned King in The Book of Three.

The story takes a slowdown in the middle as Jake and his sister explore their new world and try to figure out exactly where they are and what has happened to them both. Rollins definitely takes his time building up this world and describes the scenery — sometimes to excess. But every few chapters, he drops a key plot twist that ends up keeping the reader wanting to find answers. It all climaxes with a huge battle and Rollins does a very decent job of giving the last section of the book a very epic feel. I kept thinking the scenes would play out in a great movie sequence.

Fans of books like J & P Voegel’s Middleworld or other archeology stories filled with puzzles to solve will have some fun with Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow. With the heavy fantasy element, Rollins has delivered a story with a lot of fun — and worth a rainy day to read.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I knew going in that Mockingjay wasn’t necessarily a happy-go-lucky ending to an action-packed and highly controversial series about teenagers killing each other. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire were both equally bleak, and painted a world seemingly devoid of any sort of moral compass. Things ended badly in Catching Fire and with some major twists. And now, Katniss Everdeen returns to face her biggest challenges yet. The question remains: will the forces against a young girl from District 12 make her stronger? Or will they break her completely?

Suzanne Collins picks Mockingjay up right where Catching Fire left off – with Katniss flying in a hovercraft to the mysterious District 13 – a place where a revolt against the evil Capitol has been brewing for some time now. The new society is stark and organized, and offers much more to people like Katniss and her family, but the question keeps egging at the back of her mind: where exactly is her freedom? Sure, she has food to eat now. She has quarters assigned to her family in a hospital-like environment. But still there are those in authority even in 13 that would control her. That would seek to use her. And now she has to decide which path she will take: Revolt against everything, or join a revolution that merely views her as a pawn? With her friend Peeta captured in the Capitol, and a war looming on the horizon, death is only right around the next corner.

I will say this up front: I highly dislike Collins’ first chapters. They seem to take too much time setting things back up and often seem highly over-written. But once this book takes off in the second and third chapters, things just don’t let up. Katniss is faced with one terrifying decision after the next, and as every bulwark in her life is torn down, she has to learn to rely on herself to make it. Her character evolution is very interesting. In The Hunger Games, she begins as an idealistic and brave girl who will save her sister’s life. As she grows in Catching Fire, she begins to seek independence, but comes to see everything requires dependence – her dependence on others, on the Capitol, on the hope of a resistance, on Peeta. On Gale. But in Mockingjay, those things are slowly stripped away, until all she has left is herself. With Peeta captured and Gale caught up in the resistance, Katniss doesn’t know where her place is. And this book is her struggle to find that place.

Collins, as always, shines in the action. I couldn’t help turning pages faster and faster as Katniss and Gale enter wartime situations to battle the Capitol. The writing was charged with excitement, and with some of the plot twists right up to the very last few chapters, it really did leave me breathless. Panic overcame me many times as I wondered: Who is going to possibly survive any of this? I began to dread the ending, wondering if Collins would finish painting her depiction of society in a bleak way or not. While I refuse to spoil the end, I will say that I was satisfied with it. Collins does wrap things up in a beautiful way, the perfect ending that she could have chosen for such a trilogy.

Readers who enjoyed the actual Hunger Games in both books one and two, will probably come to Mockingjay expecting more of the same. What is here is very different. The whole series had to change positions and switch over to this sort of a finale. Collins has been building her viewpoints on what war and an oppressed society does. In so many ways, the Capitol reflects Western Civilization – a place that has everything and wastes everything, while the Districts mirrors places the West relies on for food and exports. It’s a fascinating look at the way societies interact and work with each other, and it definitely is sobering to the reader to consider the possibilities of such a society in the real world.

Dystopian fiction can’t find a better series than The Hunger Games. It truly is an epic trilogy that will be around for ages to come. And while Mockingjay slips a little with momentum, the end of Katniss Everdeen’s story is one that must be read. For when the end comes, then a new beginning can truly start to grow.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Dragons of the Watch  by Donita K. Paul

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Several years ago, Mrs. Paul introduced us to the world of Amara with The DragonKeeper series.  It was instant love. Two years ago, though, Mrs. Paul went back to a time before the Dragon Keeper with two of her characters, the wizard Fenworth and his librarian (and unwilling partner in crime) Librettowit. She tells of a time they hopped continents a place called Chiril who had never heard of Wulder, Paladins, dragons, or dragon keepers.

Book one of this new series, now called The Chiril Chronicles, was originally titled The Vanishing Sculptor but has been renamed The Dragons of Chiril, where we were introduced to the lovely emerlindian Tipper, an emerlindian prince named Jayrus, and a tumanhofer artist named Bealomondore. It’s through this band of oddball questers that Wulder is introduced to Chiril and a world literally coming apart. Book two, Dragons of the Valley, took us further in-country and into a plot of treason, enemy invasions, war, and a flavoring of a love triangle, wherein the cruel Oddidodex tries to take advantage of the outcome of the previous book.

Dragons of the Watch, however, is a bit of a different bird. It centers around the artist-turned-soldier, Bealomondore, a couple years after the war.  Now, I have to admit: Bealomondore has probably been my favorite throughout The Chiril Chronicles, and I’ve always felt he got a bit shortchanged in the previous installments (other characters’ faults, not Mrs. Paul’s).  He’s a lover first and a fighter second, reserved and comfortable with his sketchpad. By Dragons of the Watch, though, dear Bealomondore has transformed from starving artist to well-renowned sculptor, painter, military hero, statesman, and friend of Prince Jayrus and Princess Tipper.

We’re introduced first, however, to the female lead of this story, Ellicinderpart (Ellie), a tumanhofer goatherdess  living in the hills some distance from the Amber City. She’s a sweet, determined little thing with a big heart. Her family receives an invitation to the royal wedding, and her aunt and uncle agree (or, rather, insist) to take her.  No sooner have they started out, though, then one of the goats gets loose, and she’s got to get him back on her father’s land. Ellie hops off the wagon, intending to rejoin her aunt and uncle in a few hours, and then finds herself inside an invisible, enchanted glass bottle in a giant city, being chased by giant six-year-olds.  A dashing, slightly gruff, young man saves her from these rude enemies. Oh, yes, it’s Bealomondore, also headed to the wedding, also trapped, and hiding in a giant library. And that’s just the beginning.

Again, Mrs. Paul creates fully developed, lovely characters and spins a dense story laced with themes of justice and mercy, honor, and family.  She’s always been elegant in her ability to weave truth naturally into a story, and she does so this time, too. Reading her books is much like visiting with an old friend, and I look forward to whatever she’s got next.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Brilliance Audio, unabridged CDs
Publication Date: June 21, 2011/CD  July 17, 2007/paperback
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

In this continuation of the Dragon Keepers series, Kale has grown up some and is now married to Bardon.  They have been blissfully ignoring the world around them for a while as they celebrate their marriage and get to know each other better.  It has been a wonderful time for them and now they have to come back into their real world, which isn’t going as well as they’d like.

Amara is threatened by an evil couple, married to each other and not the happiest couple to come down the pike.  Paladin is very ill, perhaps dying.  Amara, as many countries have done in bad times, hopes that if they ignore the evil threatening them, it will just go away all by itself.  Paladin gives Kale and Bardon their missions.  Already Kale is upset; she doesn’t want to be separated from Bardon.  Their connection is deep, and she is afraid that being apart will change that.  She is also unhappy about having to work with her father, a man she barely knows and is not at all sure she trusts completely.

Bardon has his mission, too.  He is also working with people he doesn’t know well, and misses his wife.  He’s not sure her father knows how to handle her, and Bardon thinks he has a lock on that skill.  He does trust Paladin, however, and is sure that good will triumph.  At least he really hopes so.

Paul has, as in previous books, a definite message to send.  Those looking for Christian concepts won’t have to look very hard to find them.  Paul has the grace not to beat the reader over the head, always a pleasant surprise.  Grafton does an excellent job reading this story, as she did with the previous book I listened to on CD.

Caveat Emptor: Obviously fantasy, but nothing else.

Review copy purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Publisher: Baen Books
Publication Date: October 2011
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Stephanie Harrington is a very bright eleven-year-old, an only child.  She and her parents are recent (as these things go) settlers on Planet Sphinx in the Manticore Binary Star System.  Her parents are scientists and allow her considerable freedom, but not nearly as much as she’d like.  Something to do with hexapumas and peak bears.  She’s tired of being indoors, or of having to deal with months and months and months of snow.  She just wants to have a little freedom.

Her parents suggest, in an off-hand kind of way, that she try to find out what has been sneaking into the greenhouse and stealing all the celery.  Celery, of all things!  Still, it’s something to do, and Stephanie is convinced that she’s seen the creature – and it’s not something she’s seen before.  She’s right.  It is, at least in human terms, a treecat.  A sentient being.  The first anyone on Sphinx has encountered; the first anyone on any settled planet has encountered.  This presents Stephanie and her family, as well as the treecats, with a great many problems.

David Weber, if his list of prior publications has any bearing on it, has been writing for a while.  It shows.  His ability to build a character is quite good.  The setting is given to the reader a little at a time, so that by the end of A Beautiful Friendship readers have a good idea of what makes up Sphinx.  The story is believable, as is the plot.  Involved parents can find many sources for discussion.  Peer pressure?  Got it.  Gifted children dealing with a world not always accepting of their gifts?   Got it.  The ramifications of xenophobia?  Got it.  Negative and positive ways to deal with new things?  So got it.  The possibility of more books to come?  One can only hope.

Caveat Emptor: Some violence, mostly off-screen (as it were)

Review Copy provided by The Amazon Vine program

Genre: Historical Noir Crime

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

Turn of the century Detroit, Michigan was once called the New Paris. But by 1911, it is a town embroiled in wars between the visionary owners of the fledgling automobile industry, mob sponsored unions, and corrupt law enforcement. Finding himself at the center of everything is Will Anderson whose family owns the Anderson Electric Car Company.

Motor City Shakedown by D.E. Johnson continues Will Anderson’s story begun in The Detroit Electric Scheme. In that installment, Will and his fiancée barely survived a vicious encounter with crime boss Vito Adamo. The aftermath was the murder of Will’s best friend, a disfigured hand, horrible pain, and a nasty morphine addiction.

We pick up Will’s story here as he finds himself suspect for a murder he did not commit. The DA and police are convinced Will carried out a murder of revenge and there a few willing to take his side. As Will awaits trial for months, his family’s company teeters on the edge of bankruptcy and the mob, using the unions, looks to take control.

A trial that seems all but lost comes to a sudden end and Will is released. But he is far from free. What ensues is a classic noir story of crime bosses putting the squeeze on an innocent man caught in the middle. With the lives of his former fiancée and his family at stake, Will soon comes to believe the enemy of his enemy may be the best ally he has.

Author, D.E. Johnson, spins a thrilling story of the Motor City a century ago.  His description of characters and settings captures the essence of a city and population in a headlong dash toward both wealth and the price they will pay for it. Civic corruption, labor unions, organized crime, violent teenage gangs, and families intent on remaining united and strong combine to make the perfect platform for the story of one man’s determination to survive against all odds.

Historically based novels are always a tricky affair. Balancing story and plot with factual intrusions require a skilled writer and Johnson proves to be just that person. He does a great job of including recognizable and historic figures like Henry Ford, William Anderson of Detroit Electric, Edsel Ford, and Vito Adamo (Detroit’s first crime boss) in a story line that is seamless. Will Anderson is the perfect flawed hero. With all of his faults, failures, and addictions, you will root for him all the way as he puts his life on the line to avenge the murder of his friend and protect his family at all costs from the crime ridden labor unions.

As one might expect in this kind of story, there is a good deal of graphic violence and some decidedly non-family friendly language. But if you love a rousing good crime story where you learn something about another time in the process, Motor City Shakedown is an excellent read indeed.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Comedy

Publisher: Salt River (Tyndale)

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Matt Mikalatos has a problem. His neighbor is a werewolf. Honestly, it really isn’t his problem. The real problem when his adventure begins is the zombies that are chasing him. But they’re just zombies, so they’re dispatched easily enough. Matt’s a good guy and he’s devoted himself to helping other people, so he’ll stop at nothing to help Luther Martin get his life back on track and eviscerate his inner wolf…which leads him to some interesting characters.

Matt and Luther decide that the best way to get rid of the wolf is to go to church—Christians live redeemed lives, after all, right? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Or at least that’s what the good book says. But there’s something wrong with the church. Something’s amiss. The people don’t seem to think here, but just mindlessly believe what they’re taught. The people of the church soon begin manifesting their zombieness and are soon after Matt and Luther’s brains.

After a series of similar (mis)adventures that hold scattered insight into the transformed life of the Christian, Luther is finally faced with the only way to rid himself of the beast within. For I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live. But that would require facing the father he hates and the death of the spirit he loves.

Through it all Matt discovers a series of monsters ranging from the unthinking zombie hordes, to werewolves who struggle to control their base desires, to vampires who put their needs before the needs of others. Matt even discovers a bit of the monster inside himself. The Night of the Living Dead Christian is a humorous, campy monster parody/allegory that combines both fiction and non-fiction to ask the question: What does a transformed life really look like? Ranging from wildly absurd and hilarious to deeply serious and thought-provoking, Matt Mikalatos’s newest novel (following Imaginary Jesus) is a blending of genre to create a unique reading experience.

The idea of humanity as monsters isn’t a new one. Some of the great classic novels of the horror genre were meant to teach us about the shortcomings of our own natures. But the Mikalatos twist of making it humorous and campy really makes the novel. Once I got used to the writing style and the fact Mikalatos doesn’t always take himself seriously—and once I saw Mikalatos’s themes wouldn’t be so much implicit but overblown to be obvious—I was able to really enjoy his novel.

Don’t be expecting a serious treatise or a serious novel from The Night of the Living Dead Christian, but do expect to come away with some serious thoughts. Amid the humor, Mikalatos manages to ask some deep and relevant questions about what it means to be a Christian.

Genre: Legal / Horror

Publisher: Pinnacle

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

Mallory Caine is a lawyer with a taste for intelligence in her men.  She goes for the brainy college types- especially the brain portion.  Being a zombie will do that to you.  But Ms. Caine isn’t your average, stiff-armed, head-cocked, moaning zombie.  No, a healthy dose of night cream applied liberally every morning helps keep the decomposing flesh at bay.

Mallory is not a zombie without a conscience, either.  Every life, every meal haunts her.  But she must feed in order to keep the fraction of life she has.  Otherwise, she would die without her soul, and she can’t do that.  No, Mallory must stay alive in order to find out who murdered her, who turned her into the monster she is now, and why.  Is there any cure for being a zombie?  Pay Me In Flesh puts a whole new spin on leading a double life, with its main character trying to make her living by defending in the court of law and getting her meals by picking up men on the street.

It’s tough to catch a break in a city like L.A., especially when Mallory is hearing voices and constantly getting dive-bombed by birds.  Things get complicated when her vampire friend Traci Ann is framed for murder- a murder that Mallory knows her client didn’t commit.  How does she know this?  Because Mallory herself was responsible for the policeman’s death.  When Mallory decides to defend the shape-shifting supernatural, she must go head to head with her ex-boyfriend and prosecutor, Aaron Argula, in a battle of wits and desire.  Whether the desire stems from hunger or passion, Mallory couldn’t say.

As she progresses, Mallory must deal with a corrupt system of police, lawyers, and judges who thwart her at every turn.  At night, the battle rages on to a fight for her undead life against a sword-swinging, head-slicing zealot with a vendetta against zombies.  Will Mallory be able to defend her friend without revealing her own secrets? A wry read, the story dips and twists at every turn, keeping the elusive conclusion just out of sight.  The gore is kept at minimum, with our heroine using her trusty hook-nosed pick instead of the traditional zombie method of biting.

The book promises more to come, as Mallory Caine’s story is far from over at the end.  She has yet to solve her own murder, or come to any sort of resolution with her ex or the green-eyed detective that she quarrels regularly with.  Pay Me In Flesh will keep you intrigued until the end, with its wit and unpredictable plot.

K. Bennett displays a broad knowledge of his home city, Los Angeles, as well as the law profession he once worked in.  This is his first zombie book, following his bestsellers Deadlock and Try Fear, published under a name familiar to many, James Scott Bell.

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Publisher: Backlit Fiction

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Zoe Calder just wants to survive high school. To make it past the snobby girls who constantly laugh behind her back, or perhaps to find at least one guy worth dating. But so far, it’s been rough going, and she’s just looking forward to the end of her junior year. Because then she’ll join her aunt and uncle in Greece on an archaeological dig. But there is something much more dangerous waiting for Zoe than a few petty high school jerks. Destiny is calling, and it has terrible things in store for her. When Zoe is sent back in time to ancient Greece, she discovers the Greek gods are real. And some of them are just as petty as high schoolers. The only problem is, when a powerful Greek goddess is bent on Zoe’s destruction, the only thing to hope for is a quick and painless death.

Audrey Hart’s The Dig: Zoe and Zeus is the first installment in a three part series, and it definitely starts off perfectly. Hart brings us the most original and probably most fun look at Greek mythology in a long time. I would say her interpretation of the Greek gods and goddesses is better even than Rick Riordan’s take in the Percy Jackson books. She takes the whole cast of them, Zeus, Athena, Hera, and nine others, and turns them into teenagers with emotions, fears, and hormones.

The story is told from Zoe’s perspective, and she has become one of my favorite female characters in a fantasy novel. She’s funny and highly relatable – someone who’s always on the fringes of the group and an underdog. But then she finds herself on a crazy journey back in time. At first she only wants to get home, but later begins to appreciate the adventure she’s on. Most characters put in similar situations only whine about wanting to get home, but Zoe is tough and wants to try and figure things out. It’s a lot of fun to root for her as she battles monsters, outwits crazed goddesses and begins to fall in love.

The chapters are short and quick, and the whole book is pretty easily read. Hart keeps things light, but doesn’t shy away from some darker moments that really shine. Hart has a wonderful grasp of Greek mythology, and uses and twists it in good ways to suit the story. Frequently, she introduces things like the Minotaur, or nymphs, or other creatures, and they play their parts in the story in a natural way. It never felt like a Percy Jackson adventure with random encounters with vicious monsters. Each encounter plays a part to unfold the plot.

Some of the best moments are Zoe explaining life to the reader. Often, she’ll use her time at boarding school as ways to explain what’s happening to her. Some were downright funny, and others were sobering. The story ends up being a blend of fantasy adventure with touches of teenage drama. The mix is good, and the drama never overloads the story or becomes obnoxious.

Readers who enjoy a good Greek mythology story will definitely have some of the best fun they’ve had on Mount Olympus with The Dig: Zoe and Zeus. Others who enjoy coming-of-age tales will have something to like as well. Overall, I can’t imagine Hart giving us a better first entry. And that said, be warned: the ending escalates and leaves the reader waiting for the next installment. It can’t come too soon.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Two years ago Beth received the news that turned her life upside down. Her son, James, went missing while saving the life of a fellow soldier on a mission in Afghanistan. Beth has refused to give up hope and continues to send James letters, despite the advice to “move on” from those around her. Each day brings more struggles, making it harder to hold on and harder to believe. As Beth and family strive to cope with their heartache, she finds solace in the letters from war her son has written.

Travis Thrasher teams up with Dove Award winning artist Mark Schultz to breather new life into Schultz’s 2003 hit song, Letters from War. Thrasher’s writing style mixes perfectly with this touching message of hope and sacrifice that so many American military families can relate to. The timeline bounces around between James’s old letters and Beth’s ongoing letters, with the present day narrative couched between. Thrasher is no stranger to time altering storytelling and he handles these transitions easily, both making the story easy to follow and hard to put down.

Letters from War accomplishes much more than just re-telling the story from a popular song. As a matter of fact, even if you’ve never heard the song or seen the music video you will be moved by the unwavering faith of a soldier’s mother and the honor of a son setting out to fight for his country. The story is balanced out well with some glimpses into James’s relationship with his wife and son, and the emotional rift between Beth and her daughter, Emily. Each is hurting in their own way and their reactions never come across as manufactured for the sake of a good drama.

Thrasher and Schultz bring us an emotional ride to be sure, but one that will warm the heart and remind us all of the sacrifices our soldiers make each and every day to ensure our freedom.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: January 2009

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Angela Cardenas is one of the worst. She’s been kicked out of school after school and gotten into more trouble than she’s worth. At least that’s how her parents think of her. So with nothing else to do, they decide to send Angela to Hidden Oak, a school tucked away in the snowy Colorado mountains. The staff is ready to be tough and make Angela into a model citizen. No matter what it takes. Only as Angela goes from her classes to strange group therapy to breeding, she’s beginning to wonder if it’s not the students who are dangerous, but the staff. Something is going on at Hidden Oak, and now, with the few friends she can find, Angela vows to find out what is going on behind all the closed doors. The only thing is, how long will she be able to survive? Because the closer she noses to the truth, the closer she is to being hidden away. Forever.

Eliot Schrefer has put together a highly intriguing novel in The School For Dangerous Girls. All the students at the school have either been in trouble with the law, or just never rose to their parents expectations, or have some inner demon chasing them down. And so they have been sent to Hidden Oak in a last ditch effort to rehabilitate them. The mystery begins from the first pages, as Angela arrives in Colorado. Things don’t seem to go well for her as she tries to rebel against the set-up authorities in her new life. It’s apparent something very dangerous is happening throughout the school: like what happened to all the abandoned buildings? Where are people disappearing to? What is this school really all about? And who is the mysterious headmistress no one ever sees?

Questions swirl around throughout the book, and just as some things are solved, others are introduced, creating new levels of paranoia for the main characters. Angela leads off the cast as the questioning rebel, who just wants to figure out what is really going on. She really drives the novel, and everything centers around her. She’s brazen, but funny, and definitely fits the mold of dangerous. A lot of her actions near the beginning of the book go beyond simple angry rebellion. But she grows, and doesn’t even realize as she begins to turn her life around and use her bravery for something other than sticking it to the authorities. Some typical characters bleed into the novel, with wallflower Carmen and leader-punk Juin, but they revolve around Angela so well it ends up working.

There isn’t necessarily a lot of action in the plot. The story weaves in and out and sets up more scenes where the reader is wondering if the girls will get caught or escape. There is some gang-type violence near the end of the book, and some of the violent moments are somewhat gory. But it fits the tone and the atmosphere as Schrefer approaches some very dark subject matter. This is definitely a YA book with some language littered throughout, and heavy themes of abuse in various forms come up often.

Fans of mystery novels with an edgy twist will definitely enjoy The School For Dangerous Girls. It kept me up, wondering exactly what would happen next, and even delivered a couple of pretty frightening revelation moments. Near the end, things go a little sideways, but Schrefer manages to bring it back around. Almost a grittier Tower Prep, this book is one you’ll want to finish for that book report. Because you never know what your teacher might do if you don’t…

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine Program.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Word of Mouth Books

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey    

Holler At The Moon is a stimulating descriptive, though sometimes bittersweet, dramatic novel.  This story definitely offers a heavy slant towards the importance of family, friendships, love, and loyalty – which I’m certain readers will enjoy.

As ghastly as it was, this story is not just about three young sisters witnessing the murder of their mother at the hands of their father.  It is about the trials and tribulations that they suffer following the senseless act committed by their father. It is about three sisters who are seemingly delightful, talented, and gifted individuals, and who in spite of their youth must somehow triumph over adversity. But is it possible for them to do so, or has their fate already been sealed by the dreadful situation and the blood that runs through their innocent veins?

The author’s skill, imagination, and gifted storytelling provide a captivating story for readers. The realism of this story is what makes it heartfelt, yet frightening because it is the life-story far too many children live daily.  And it’s certain that more than just a few readers will be able to identify family, friends, or even themselves  depicted throughout the pages of this challenging story – and because of this or in spite of it, this story will cause readers to, laugh, become angry,  and even want to cry.

Tinesha Davis manages to dab a bit of humor throughout the novel as she tells a horrific tale of the abandonment the girls experienced and the never ending grief they suffered, as well as the horror they were made to endure at the hands of those that were suppose to love and protect them. However, the strength that the main female characters continued to maintain throughout and in spite of their horrendous circumstances is to be admired.

The three Jackson sisters are separated, and must live hard lives far away from each other. The oldest Jackson sister, Dominique is sent to Virginia to live with her father’s cousin Rhanda.  Unfortunately, Rhanda’s home is absent of any type of love and Dominique seeks comfort elsewhere. Unable to grieve so she can embrace her past, Dominique finds herself on a destructive path.   Dominique later becomes a well adjusted twenty-five year old professional, living a seemingly perfect life…or so it seems – she’s in love with a man who once saved her, but is now threatening to destroy her.  Will she be able to break free from him in time?

The middle Jackson sister, Donya  was sent to live with her father’s sister, Aunt Chuck, and tries hard to keep in touch with Dominique and look after her younger sister,  Damita.  But as a young teen Donya is forced to leave her Aunt’s house and falls into troublesome circumstances, and has to claw her way from living on the streets to being a self-made Bohemian whose life becomes filled with rainbows and dance.  But then she finds herself stuck in the middle of two disasters and not certain which she should try to resolve.

And then there’s the youngest of the Jackson sisters, Damita, who is also sent to live with Aunt Chuck; and learns quickly that in order to survive she must gravitate and become indispensable to the only person left in her immediate circle, and that is Aunt Chuck – another mean character who needs Damita to run errands, that her obesity won’t allow her to handle.  Damita becomes a fast-talking, straight-A high school student with a serious sarcastic wit and an attitude and temper inherited of her father and his desire to resolve issues by any physical means necessary. She is an intellect with a promising future, but will she allow her hot-headed ways to ruin her the way her father allowed his to ruined him?

Author Tinesha Davis displays a writing talent that is so polished that it is difficult to believe, Holler At The Moon is her debut novel.  The story was awesome, and I believe that readers will find this book to be an enjoyable and fascinating read, so if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading this book, be certain to pick up a copy before the sequel, Twice On Sundays hits the stands.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Co.

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Melody Ballard

The Outlaw Album is classic noir with rural flavor.  This anthology of twelve stories is filled with the same twists and turns as an Ozark river.  Without exception, as we journey through the minds of madness, eerie and unsettling footprints mark our journey.

In “Uncle”, we feel the terror of a young girl faced with a nightmare existence as her uncle continues his rampage of rape, murder and unimaginable terror.  We look through her eyes as she journeys to her breaking point, and the inevitable conclusion of her nightmare.

In “Returning the River” we are able to relish the sweet taste of vengeance and   savor every moment of pursuit as our victim Harky desperately tries to avoid his inevitable fate.  We thrill at the chase but are left with an almost disappointing resolution upon its completion.

“The Horse in our History” leaves us curiously unsettled as calliopes of recollections converge to paint a picture that captures the disjointed events of a specific period of time.  Or do they?  The uncanny nature of this story leaves our mind churning to find semblance where none is to be found.

Perhaps the most disturbing story of all is the one presented at the beginning of The Outlaw Album. “The Echo of Neighborly Bones” is filled with a curiously calm but vengeful rage that mingles with tenderness as a husband avenges the death of his wife’s dog. The first two sentences set the tone for not only this story, but all the others.  “Once Boshell finally killed his neighbor he couldn’t seem to quit killing him. He killed him again whenever he felt unloved or blue or simply had empty hours facing him.”

Throughout these twelve tales (The Echo of Neighborly Bones; Uncle; Twin Forks; Florianne: Black Step; Night Stand; Two Things; The Horse in Our History; Woe to Live On; Dream Spot; One United; and Returning the River) runs a curious logic intermingled with desperation and violence. Somehow the dark, twisted, chilling events and the extraordinary actions of ordinary people seem curiously plausible.  The Outlaw Album is an amazing collection of eerie stories that is sure to not disappoint fans with an appetite for unnerving suspense.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi

Publisher:  Putnam Adult

Publication Dates: Sept 13, 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twitchell

Eve Dallas is a woman of strength, courage and above all, honor. These are not traits that she learned during her childhood or her formative years. Instead, they’re traits picked up, honed and sharpened to a deadly point in the years since becoming a police officer. And each and every one of them are about to be tested.

On her rookie assignment, just out of the academy, Eve had the misfortune to come across Isaac McQueen, a sick, foul and deeply disturbed man whose favorite hobby was taking young girls, using and abusing them and then killing them. He also kept careful track of each one with a number carved into their chests. Dallas was baptized by fire with the McQueen case and she was beyond relieved when she was able to put him away. Now years later, Dallas is a seasoned homicide detective –the best on the force. But it still rattles her to the core when she discovers that McQueen has escaped prison and that he’s got a personal vendetta against her. More concerned for the others in the case than herself, Dallas dives headfirst into the investigation with her team and loved ones all close around her for support. Little does she know that the case that pushed her to be the exceptional cop that she is today is about to
take an even darker and more personal turn than she’d thought possible.

McQueen, knowing just enough of Eve’s past to be dangerous, takes his talents to Dallas which requires Eve to leave behind her comfort zone and go back to the place where she earned her name. With Roarke in tow to keep her safe, Eve throws herself heavy and hard into bringing McQueen down.

Just when I think that J.D. Robb has taken me everywhere she can with Eve Dallas, another layer is pulled back, revealing more depth and history for an already complex and well beloved character. This book brought Eve, Roarke, and everyone around them to a new level of intrigue, danger.  Mixed through it all Eve has to deal with a lot of self introspection. How did she become the woman she is today? How did she evolve? Is it something wrapped in her DNA or is it choices she made along the way?

I loved this book. I had only just decided that Robb’s earlier outing Treachery in Death, was my favorite Dallas book but now, Robb has handed me a dilemma. Rich with backstory and history of Dallas and the struggles of everyone around her on how best to protect and love her, this book opened up my favorite characters and gave me even more respect for each of them. I could not read this book quickly enough and have already recommended it time and time again to people that I know would love it. Though it’s heavy in backstory, you can still enjoy the murder mystery without knowing all of the fine details of Dallas’ early life. If you have read any books though, and are a Dallas/Roarke fan like myself, this book will tear your heart out, stomp on it, and then slowly piece it back together and hand to you completely remade.

If you like murder mysteries, futuristic books or romance, this one’s for you.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: New American Library – Penguin Group
Publication Date: April 2011
Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Lynne Bryant grew up in rural New Hope, Mississippi – outside of Columbus – and admits she had little interaction with “Black folks”, yet it was not until she reached adulthood and moved away, that she became intrigued with the history of her hometown and her obliviousness of the issues of race raging around her and uses many of the events as inspiration for her debut novel, Catfish Alley.

Catfish Alley is about a White woman in the South whose research into local Black history introduces her to several elderly Black women, and their stories of tragedy and endurance in the days before Civil Rights. In Clarksville, Mississippi, Blacks and Whites live largely separate lives, and racial prejudice maintains a powerful hold.  Although she claims not to have a self-serving motive, Roxanne Reeves didn’t take on the task of adding African-American history to the town’s famous annual Antebellum House tour, because she had an interest in, or some deep desire to examine Black history, no, she did it so that she could get the contract to do the restoration at Riverview  – the most beautiful property in Clarksville. Not only would it be a feather in Roxanne’s cap, but the money she’d earn from getting the contract  to restore it, would be substantial.  However, she thought it was going to be some simple little list of places that Grace Clark would come up with and they’d be done- Roxanne never thought she would get so pulled into their lives and their history.

Catfish Alley is a story involving Grace Clark, a retired Black schoolteacher who mysteriously owns one of the grand plantations of Clarksville.  She becomes Roxanne’s guide to undistinguished places that are sacred to the Black community because of what happened there – even a senseless photographed hanging used as an initiation into the Klan.  Grace and a few of her friends share stories of the past, especially 1931, when they were young, happy and full of hopeful promise – yet a racist’s hatred for Grace’s brother, Zero, led to events that changed all their lives, and continued to touch people decades later.  Bryant manages to do a good job of maintaining the White characters’ tone of entitlement throughout the novel with ease; and sadly during this journey much is revealed about how the majority, if not all of the Black characters suffer terrible tragedies at the hands of White people. Yet they continue to pursue their personal dreams, refusing to allow grief and loss to make them bitter, resentful or angry.

Books of this nature generally depict Blacks living with the expectation that law enforcement would offer little if any protection against violence so they try not to make waves or seek help against their oppressors – but instead opt for the old turn-the-other-cheek mentality, and Lynne Bryant vividly expresses how her characters in Clarksville, Mississippi are content to preserve the status quo.  In the beginning chapters, the multiple points of view, and multiple time periods are slightly distracting, but evidently the reader can become accustomed to it and follow along easily, as the author’s writing skill kicks in and demonstrates how  she can readily maintain the flow quite well.

As Bryant wraps up the story, Roxanne and Del have gained a whole new perspective about the Black community in Clarksville Roxanne so easily dismissed, and her life opens up in unexpected ways;  thereby making Catfish Alley a somewhat heartwarming story of hope, self-discovery, and friendship.

This book contains extreme racially offensive content, strong language, and descriptions of horrible scenes of White brutality.  This book can also be considered extremely insulting and a challenge for anyone, but more so if the reader is African American.

That said,  I’m not certain if there was a need for yet another derogatory book written by a White woman about Blacks in Mississippi – after all,  The Help managed to stir up enough controversy surrounding this subject to last the readers for quite some time.  The two books may not be exact in their content, but they are not far off the mark from one another.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Romance / Historical Fiction

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

After being abruptly dumped by her childhood love, Gideon, Mattie Eash leaves her home in Apple Ridge, PA, to Berlin, OH. She rebuilds her life around a bakery, which is famous for her decorated cakes. She also finds a new steady, Sol. Unfortunately, her bakery is destroyed by a fire and she is forced to go home to stay with her family until the bakery can be rebuilt. Being at home again is wonderful, until she sees Gideon interacting with the English girls. She believes he is establishing a romantic relationship with this new girl until she learns the horrible truth: he dumped her when he found out he had a rare form of leukemia and didn’t want her to have to deal with the knowledge and his possible death. He believed he was setting her free to find a new love.

Woodsmall demonstrates her knowledge of the Amish world by the peppering of Amish words in the conversations and shows how idyllic life in the Amish community can be. She also shows the hardships and support the community shares. The story itself is not new, but it is charming and simple. This one is particularly charming because it occurs at Christmas, and readers get to feel that special Christmas magic. The characters are likeable, and even though Gideon breaks Mattie’s heart, the reader still feels sympathy for his situation. The only drawback is that Amish families are so big, it is hard to keep the characters and their relationships with one another straight. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the large families offer opportunities for more stories. The book, at only 189 pages, is a quick and easy read. For those tempted by the descriptions of Mattie’s famous cakes, there are some recipes at the back of the book.

Because the book is about the Plain folk, who live upstanding, decent lives, this book doesn’t contain any offensive language or sexual situations. Teens are just as likely to enjoy this book as adults because it is a sweet romance that is not inappropriate. In fact, it takes us to a time when dating and courtship involve a lot of interacting and getting to know one another. This book would make a good read for anyone interested in romance and the Amish way of life.

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Publication Date: May 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

The War is all any adult will talk about. How the War has changed everything: ID bracelets must be worn by everyone. No longer do miles of shopping centers line the highways busy with traffic. Places once thought safe aren’t anymore. And now Louisa’s parents feel they have one choice left: Send their daughter to Country Manor School — where she will be safe. At first, Louisa loves the new school – she even manages to set aside her new friend Evelyn’s crazy conspiracy theories about the place. But then, strange things are happening. And now, Louisa begins to wonder… if Country Manor is so good… can it really be true? But no matter what question she asks, all she hears is: “It’s for your safety.” Soon Louisa’s only question becomes: exactly how safe is she?

Behind The Gates, book one in Eva Gray’s new series, Tomorrow Girls, opens things out slowly. Most of the novel read like a contemporary high-school type drama. There’s the preppy girls looking down on everyone else, there’s the more nerdy types, and there are those just trying to blend in with the wallpaper. What really changes things up is the underlying intrigue Gray lays down. Throughout the book, it appears something strange is going on as Louisa and her friends go through classes, some normal, and others teaching the girls basic survival skills. And while Louisa doesn’t buy into all these conspiracy theories about the school’s sinister motives, there’s enough to keep the reader wondering.

Louisa is a fairly typical character: she has fears, questions, and worries just like anybody else. What does make her interesting though is how Louisa isn’t the girl worrying about the school. She’s just trying to forget the terrible things happening in the world while trying to stay afloat with classes and friends and popularity. Most books like this would have been written from the paranoid character’s perspective, making this one a bit refreshing.

The story moves along swiftly, and by the end, there are a few good plot twists that leave the series wide open for book two to pick things up. Gray has definitely created a fascinating future world where resources are scarce, and people can’t really be trusted. More secrets will be unveiled as time unravels in the series.

Behind The Gates is a quick read perfect for fans of shows like Cartoon Network’s Tower Prep or books about boarding schools. This story ends up as an interesting take on the dystopian fad running strong in YA literature. And it’s definitely a worthy addition.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Publication Date: February 2009

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Alex Taylor didn’t think much of the strange looking bookshop. But then there was the blinking sign. The wooden, hand-painted blinking sign. The sign that kept telling him to come inside. As soon as Alex walks through the door, his life changes forever. Questions he’s always had will be answered: who is he? Why does the “real” world feel so strange? Who are his parents? Alex discovers another world: a place where he can travel with elves and dwarfs, and face countless danger and adventure. And now Alex has his first quest: Find an evil dragon’s lair and rescue the hoard of gold. The only problem is: no one has ever come back alive from a quest to the dragon’s rotting domain. On all accounts, this adventure is a not much more than a death sentence.

Mark Forman’s debut book, Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog’s Gold, is a pretty fun, adventure story, with some heavy borrows from The Hobbit and RPG-esque ideas. The story world is firmly rooted in high fantasy with trolls, goblins, wizards, dwarfs, elves, and quests. I wondered about this book for a while: would I be inwardly groaning over the obvious similarities to other fantasy titles of the past? Or would Forman manage to pull his own weight and give us something fun and exciting to follow? As I read, many of the plot devices and elements reminded me heavily of The Hobbit, but the writing drew me in. Forman keeps things moving along at a steady pace, and there are mysteries and questions to be answered unique to the world he’s created.

Alex is a fairly typical and straightforward character – he doesn’t know who his parents are, or who he really is. And as he begins to discover the secrets surrounding his life, he humbly embraces them. This aspect of Alex’s character won me over. A lot of characters traveling from the “real world” to a fantasy world end up whining their entire way through their journeys. Those characters question things in a very grating way and just want to get home. Alex, however, is different. He starts out wondering what is happening around him, but not in a whiny-sort of way. And slowly we can see his wide-eyed wonder at the magical world he’s stumbled into.

Forman doesn’t drag us into long and drawn-out descriptions either, which was definitely a plus. It didn’t take long to get to the action or the mystery. And by the novel’s end, he delivers a couple of interesting twists that made me excited for the second book. There’s also the interesting dose of RPG elements into the book from the use of inventory-holding magic bags to the dividing of gold based on a character’s adventurer level.

All this said, the book did feel like a more modern-day telling of The Hobbit, and die-hard fans of Tolkien will definitely turn up their noses here. Being a fan of The Hobbit myself, I wondered if by the end I was going to be annoyed or not, but I was surprised to have really enjoyed the book as a fun epic fantasy that didn’t feel dragged through the mud in description or utter clichés.

Fans of Brandon Mull’s Beyonders series would do well to pick up Slathbog’s Gold and check it out in between books. Light-hearted readers of fantasy will definitely enjoy this adventurous romp through magical worlds and into the very mouth of danger.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Entangled

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Adrenaline junkie, Deznee Cross has one goal in life, to make her father as angry as possible. So when she stumbles across a boy near the river embankment, she takes him home. However, Kale isn’t a normal teenager. The simplest things fascinate him and he avoids contact acting like his touch is lethal. When her father returns home pointing a gun in their direction, Deznee realizes that there is more to this strange boy and to her “lawyer” father than she ever imagined.

Now on the run with Kale, Deznee’s life goes from worrying about where she’ll find her next adrenaline high or wild party to how she can stay alive. In the process, her strength and courage will be tested as her life is turned upside down and everything Deznee thought she knew will be taken from her.

X-Men meets Twilight (minus the vampires and werewolves!) in Jus Accardo’s debut novel, “Touch,” the first book in the Denazen Series. Deznee is the typical ignored daughter acting up to get daddy’s attention. Kale is the tortured, naïve boy that gives her a new outlook on life.

“Touch” is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the adrenaline pumping and the pages turning. This is a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories with mutants and villains. That being said, while it is clearly written for a younger audience, mature content keeps me from recommending this book especially to those on the lower end of the young adult spectrum. Readers should be aware of some vulgar language, underage drinking, and sex before picking up this novel. Though all of them may be part of many teenagers’ daily lives, I cannot, with a clear conscious, recommend a book that contains these to a young audience. They were not necessary for the plot and the lack of vulgar language, drinking, and sex would have made the novel both YA adult friendly and more about romance than lust.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Malcolm is a loser. At least according to all the others: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the perfect people who surround him every day. He’s gliding through life, just trying to make it through. The past haunts him in many ways, and until now he’s never shared the truth with another living soul. For three days, Malcolm disappeared completely. Most people think he just lost it and wandered into the middle of the desert on purpose. But Malcolm knows: he was left there. After being taken by aliens. He never thought anyone would believe him: until he met Hooper, a strange man with strange secrets. Soon, Malcolm and the only people he would ever call friends, head out deep into the desert to discover the truth about Malcolm and Hooper.

Cecil Castellucci has crafted a very intriguing, yet strange, coming-of-age novel in First Day On Earth. Parts of the writing reminded me of Travis Thrasher’s The Solitary Tales – with sudden and deep introspection, coupled with strange events that at first seem to have no meaning. But Castellucci weaves everything together deftly, and by the end of this short novel, Malcolm discovers himself and the truth about who he is.

This isn’t a mystery or a thriller. And most action is relegated to flat tires and typical high school bullying. A definite sci-fi thread winds its way throughout, however. Some parts of Malcolm’s story are truly depressing, and at moments, I found myself really hurting for him. Other moments are so raw and honest, I put the book down just to sit and think about everything Castellucci had written. And the entire time, I kept wondering, was Malcolm really abducted by aliens? Or not? It drove me through the book – wondering if Malcolm was truly crazy. Or was he really the sane one?

The surrounding characters seem fairly typical at first: there’s the nerdy kid who just wants to fit in, brown-nosing to everyone. There’s the picture perfect girl who seems to have the perfect life, and then Malcolm: the loser kid who is just barely surviving day to day. But as the book moves along, Castellucci opens them all up and truly makes them complicated in a good way. Their stories became so interesting, I kept stopping to read parts aloud to people around me. And some of the book’s hardest moments come when Malcolm describes his relationship with his father: staring up at the stars together, memorizing constellations… and then the morning Malcolm heard the soft click of the door shutting, and the footsteps of his father leaving for good.

There is a fair bit of language and some eyebrow-raising content throughout, definitely putting this book on the edgy side of YA. Readers should be aware there are a couple of graphically-described physical traumas. But even through the heavy issues, Malcolm’s journey is truly one that ends with hope.

This is not a book I’d come back to again and again, but it is one that will weigh on me. Fans of coming-of-age novels will enjoy First Day On Earth. Castellucci has done a fine job here, relating raw emotions and the true pain of living in a world where you feel truly alone.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance, Suspense

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Megan Connors lives in a man’s world. As part of the secret service, she’s constantly fighting to prove she’s just as capable as her male counterparts. And for the most part, Megan has succeeded. She is being considered for an opening in the PPD (Presidential Protective Division). However, before any decision is made she has one more assignment—protecting the vice president’s daughter. In order to do this, she must work under the command Ash Zanders who is known for being tough, critical, and completely against women in the special service. To make matters worse, he’s vying for the same PPD promotion she is.

Ash has been on Lindsay Hall’s protective detail for a couple years. He has watched as drugs and alcohol have spun her life into a downward spiral. Her years of running with the wrong crowd have caught up with her and someone wants her dead. To keep Lindsay safe, they secretly transport her to a ranch where she can undergo rehabilitation. But, protecting Lindsay from herself will present as great a challenge as finding the person or persons behind the threats. Ash isn’t happy either with the new agent assigned to his team. Megan may have an impeccable record, but the secret service is no place for a woman.

When those after Lindsay discover her location and make it clear that they can reach her whenever they want, Ash and Megan will be forced to work together to keep her safe. In the process, the two will come to understand and respect the other and with that will come feelings and emotions neither one is prepared to face.

In Attracted to Fire, Diann Mills delivers everything you would expect from a suspense/romance novel. The characters are likeable. I found myself especially rooting for Lindsay as she struggled to regain control in her life and make the difficult journey of self-discovery. Ash is the classic “woman-hater” and Megan the typical woman who breaks through his defenses and eventually takes over his heart. Though I didn’t find any shocking twists, I did enjoy reading Attracted to Fire. This is novel for those looking for a story with romance, suspense, and faith.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Sara’s life seems anything but exciting: long, boring days sitting in a Turkish hotel waiting for her father to return from the hydroelectric plant. But then she discovers the carpet – a magical flying carpet. And everything changes for her and a Turkish friend, Amesh, when they board the carpet under the light of the stars. They sail out over the ocean and find themselves on the Island of the Djinn, who will grant wishes – for a price. And now they’re both in over their heads as their very souls are in danger. But then the real question looms: who will Sara be able to save? And at what price? Because in the end, she must learn to be very careful what she wishes for.

Best-selling author Christopher Pike dabbles into Middle Eastern mythology in The Secret of Ka. He carefully unfolds the story and the djinn legends as the book progresses, steadily gaining speed until the very last pages. It’s been quite a while since an author has truly surprised me, but Pike did so multiple times. At first things seem so simple and straightforward, and I believed I was settling into what might end up being a long, drawn-out book. But I was glad Pike proved me wrong. He strings the reader along with just enough mystery to keep us going. And the plot is fairly tight and interesting. Pike has said this is one book he didn’t really sit down and plan, but the little pieces come together near perfectly by the end – creating a tapestry almost as impelling as the flying Carpet of Ka.

There is a heavy romance throughout the book, and it drives much of the narrative along. Sara and Amesh’s relationship is highly strange – especially as the more fantasy-esque elements of the story emerge – and sometimes I didn’t always believe it. Near the end, they both make a few choices that left me baffled. I didn’t think the direction their romance headed in the end always felt right. And this was the one downfall of the book. If Pike had led the romance in a slightly different direction, I think it would have worked very well.

The beginning is firmly rooted in a very real, young adult world, with Sara first encountering Amesh. But things really pick up just a couple chapters in, and the payoff for what some might consider a slow start is worth it. Pike definitely aims at a slightly higher audience with some light language and a higher romantic tension throughout.

Not much more can be said about The Secret of Ka. To say more would ruin the surprises to come. And there are surprises. I love when a good book really picks me up and twists around near the end. And that’s exactly what Pike has accomplished here. I’m eager to try a few of his other novels now.

Readers who have grown past books like P.B. Kerr’s fantastic Children of the Lamp series would do well to find Pike’s The Secret of Ka. Wrapped up in this delightful book is a great blend of magic, mystery, and a dose of romance. The Secret of Ka leaves the reader wishing for their own flying carpet to float on under the stars.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine program.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Just in time for our own “doomsday” predictions, The Leftovers allows us to imagine what would happen if the Rapture, or End of Time, really did happen.  In Perrotta’s version, there is a Sudden Departure in which people absolutely vanish in the middle of whatever they happen to be doing.  Some entire families disappear, but in most cases, only one family member or close friend disappears.  Kevin, the mayor of his small suburb, doesn’t lose anyone directly, but his wife joins a cult-like group in order to deal with these changes.  His teen daughter becomes despondent at losing her mother, and his college-student son quits school and follows a corrupt evangelist.   While Kevin’s family is the main focus of the story, Perrotta introduces us to other characters who are intertwined in the lives of Kevin’s family.

I have never read one of Perrotta’s books and didn’t know what to expect, and to be honest, at first, I was confused.  Each chapter focuses on a different character, and at times it was difficult following who was who and what he or she was doing.  I also had a hard time understanding how the concept of the Sudden Departure was explained; it left me wondering what exactly happened.  I am glad I stuck with it, however, because the characters quickly developed and established relationships with each other.  The whole notion of the Sudden Departure made more sense, and I was able to see the thought process behind the characters’ decisions.  I don’t necessarily agree with some of the decisions the characters made, but I can understand their motivation.

Due to the topic of the book, some people may be offended by its content.  Readers interested in seeing how people react to such a tragic event will appreciate the storyline.  The whole plot was thought-provoking and managed to keep my attention, once I got into it.  Because it does address cult-like behavior, some readers may not enjoy this.  Additionally, Kevin’s daughter Jill starts rebelling and engaging in promiscuity, which may also offend some readers.  While not described in graphic detail, readers will get an eyeful of sexual situations.   For those able to overlook the sexual content, give it a chance.  The Leftovers grows on the reader and engages in a completely offbeat manner.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Harcourt

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The Little Red Pen is grading school papers. She has to. If she doesn’t, the students won’t learn, the school will close, the sky might fall and it will be the end of the world! So she tries to enlist the help of Eraser, Scissors, Stapler and others to finish the work. All cry, “Not I!” But when the Little Red Pen falls into the Pit (the trash can), the other classroom supplies must somehow rescue her from certain doom, grade the papers and prevent the end of the world!

From the sister-sister team of Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel comes a delightful retelling of The Little Red Hen, combined with hints of Chicken Little, told from the perspective of school supplies. Almost like an animated short, the story is told largely in dialogue and illustration, with only a few snippets of narration.

Mixed media illustrations take children into the larger-than-life world of the classroom, as viewed by highlighters, rulers and others. Touches of Spanish from the Pushpin (Senorita Chincheta) increase the classroom value of this book. Creative problem solving is also in abundance here. The supplies think on their “feet” to save the day.

This delightful mix of feisty characters, goofy wordplay and daring rescue will make a great back-to-school present or teacher gift.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Clarion

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

A Middle Eastern boy is learning his father’s trade—recognizing a certain type of tree, assessing its readiness and collecting precious “tears,” or drops of resin, from the trees. Then one day, the boy harvests a particularly large, special tear, a proud moment for the young man. Later, strangers in the market decide to purchase the tear as a special gift. A gift for a strange recipient.

The Third Gift by Newbery Medal-winner Linda Sue Park offers a unique historical look at the uncommon practice of tear collecting. Not the usual picture book fodder, this book beautifully portrays Middle Eastern culture in expressive, clear language. An author’s note features further historical details.

Bagram Ibatoulline’s stunning acrylic-gauche paintings bring a definite realism to the book and capture the setting’s climate. Truly masterful art.

An unexpected surprise awaits readers; wonder will dawn on them as the book’s twist is unveiled. Park skillfully weaves small clues into the text, never revealing too much, until the satisfying moment of realization. A book to warm the heart and invigorate the spirit!

Genre: Suspense / Mystery

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed By Jen Roman

Tom and Abby have a wonderful life: good jobs, good friends, and a wonderful family that includes their twelve-year-old daughter, Caitlin. All of this shatters when Caitlin is abducted while walking the dog. Tom starts a relentless campaign to find her, and Abby turns to the church, and more specifically, Pastor Chris, to deal with the pain. Four years later, Abby insists that they hold a memorial service to help them move on with their lives. Within days of the service, a young stripper contacts them with information about their daughter: Caitlin may still be alive.

Sure enough, Caitlin is found and reunited with her parents, but all is not well. She refuses to tell what happened to her and where she was, and even tries to escape and go back to where she was. She remains sullen and withdrawn, which makes her parents wonder if it is better to have her back home with them. Eventually, Tom and Abby find out what Caitlin has been doing for the past four years and why Caitlin has been acting so withdrawn.

Cemetery Girl is one of the saddest stories I have read in a long time. The story is engaging and tugs at the reader’s heartstrings immediately. After reading the story, I did some research and found out that Caitlin’s behavior is not uncommon to children who have been abducted, and Tom and Abby’s marital troubles are also common as they try to deal with a terrible tragedy. Tom blames himself, and Abby turns to religion.

While neither of these things is bad, they spend so much time trying to heal themselves that their marriage dissolves. Abby wants to move on, and Tom sees that as abandoning their child. Tom wants to keep Caitlin’s room the way it was the day she left, and Abby sees this as not accepting reality. I can’t imagine being in such a situation and feel genuine pain for people who have to deal with it. Bell manages to entertain while giving people a glimpse into how life is for people who have to live with a child being abducted. While interesting, it certainly is uncomfortable. The story is fast-paced and compelling, but the ending is not uplifting. People expecting a happy ending will be sorely disappointed.

Readers must decide if they want to read a story that is difficult to stomach. While it does not explicitly describe anything, it implies that there was a sexual relationship between Caitlin and her abductor. Earlier, the witness describes a sexual situation between Caitlin and a man in a seedy bar. There is also a smattering of profanity. If readers are able to handle the adult situations, they should be touched by Cemetery Girl.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Deep in the middle of the forest, way beyond any normal highways, is a place called Fort Eden. It’s a place where those with deep fears – who have come to the very end of themselves and can’t live another day – can go to find peace. But only seven are allowed. And Will Besting has been chosen. His psychiatrist believes that if Will can just get through the treatment, he can be cured of the fears stopping him from living a normal, teenage life. But Will soon discovers that the treatments seem to be harming each of them. And then Will discovers a place where he can hide. But how long can he go before the caretakers of Fort Eden find him? And what dark secrets will he discover? His only hope is to escape before his turn to be “cured” can come.

Patrick Carman has really hit the sweet spot. Dark Eden is a top-notch under-the-skin sort of thriller. Carman isn’t a stranger to writing scary stories – his Skeleton Creek books, as well as 3:15 Season One: Things That Go Bump In The Night, show that Carman can crank out stuff that will make your skin crawl. But Dark Eden takes it to another level:  a subtle, yet disturbing story about what truly makes us afraid.

Will Besting is a very interesting, underdog sort who has a deathly fear along with the other six teens sent to Fort Eden. Only he manages to escape from the Fort and is frantically trying to unravel the mystery of the place, along with dealing with the fear that keeps trying to eat him alive. Will’s odd conversations with others and himself really are unnerving and leave the reader in one sense deeply disturbed, and yet wanting Will to survive Fort Eden and figure it out.

The storyline is superb, and Carman takes us on his typical twisting ride, leaving the reader gasping near the end. He really manages to quietly weave the characters and plot together in a way that keeps us moving, and yet reflecting on the ideas of fear. A quiet sort of action persists throughout as Will continually tries to stay hidden and merely survive. The story moves pretty quickly, up to the final few moments. There are only a couple of minor, unanswered questions by the end, but nothing that will leave the reader hurting for the answers.

There is some violence and truly disturbing moments – one of them forcing me to put the book down because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep afterwards. The different fears of the teens are things that many people face in their lives, and it was a definite mystery to discover which teen feared what.

Along with the book, there’s a downloadable app that can take readers deeper into the story with videos, audio segments, and maps. The audio and video are typical of Carman’s high-quality videos done for Skeleton Creek or the Trackers series. Teens who are more reluctant readers will love this different way of interacting with the story.

Fans of more complicated psychological-type thrillers will love Dark Eden, and the strange, twisting route it takes to the very end. It’s the sort of book to read on a dark night, when fear is at its highest. Maybe you’ll beat Fort Eden and make it through to the morning… or maybe you won’t.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine Program.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Candlewick

Publication Date: July 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller 

King Hugo suffers from a swollen head. He lets everyone in the land know how marvelous he thinks he is. But when this tiny king accidentally insults a sorceress, his head grows even bigger. Literally. Every time he proclaims his superiority, his noggin balloons a bit more in size. Will King Hugo ever learn his lesson? And will he ever fit back into the castle?

In the style of Shel Silverstein, this cautionary tale blended with fairy tale traits will leave children smirking at the pompous king. Van Dusen’s gouache illustrations bring to mind caricatures and highlight the absurdity of Hugo’s situation. A sort of glow effect painted around many of the characters provides a cartoonish, animated film-type feel to the pictures.

The rhymes work well, with only a rare bump in rhythm, but children will unlikely catch this occurrence. The ending, where the sorceress falls for the repentant ruler, feels a little contrived, but again, children will be so delighted with the outrageous situations and playful illustrations that they probably won’t mind.

Good fun, with a solid message to boot.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Scary stories can be a lot of fun – especially when they’re coming from the mind of Patrick Carman, author of the wildly popular Skeleton Creek books. And with 3:15 Season One, Carman delivers another spooky, multimedia piece of work that will leave readers gasping and pulling the covers up and over their heads.

Containing nine stand-alone stories and one tie-in to the Skeleton Creek books, Things That Go Bump in the Night boasts a good variety of scares. Each story begins with a passcode to enter on the 3:15 website, where readers can first hear an audio introduction to each story. The introductions are told by a man known as Paul Chandler, who has mysterious secrets of his own to hide away. After each intro, readers dive into the book to find out more of the story. And finally, as they finish reading, they log back onto the website and enter a second passcode that will unlock a video to finish the story.

The creepy introductions do well to set up the mood and perhaps a burning question, and then the written parts add to the general feel. But the scariest part of these stories is definitely the videos, which had me jumping multiple times and checking over my shoulder. I was wondering how the acting and production of each video would be, and I was pleasantly surprised. The actors and actresses do a good job portraying their characters, and even the small spattering of special effects are well done. A couple of times, it seemed like little details from the videos and the book didn’t always match up – such as a certain piece of clothing Carman described characters wearing. But otherwise, the videos fit very well with the format and leave things pretty chilling.

The ten stories are pretty varied, some taking place in the past such as “Buried Treasure” – the story of a boy living in the 1940′s, who ends up letting his greed get the better of him. Some of the stories were downright frightening, and ending up being my favorites, such as “The Lift” – a story about a teen who goes snowboarding and never comes back from the mountain. The atmosphere created in the audio introduction and throughout the written part definitely left me jumping out of my skin during the final moments of the video. Other tales don’t come off quite as well, and I found myself shrugging through them as just being slightly disturbing. One of the best payoffs and frights is in the final story “Night on the Dredge,” which is related to the Skeleton Creek books. The final film is very frightening, and had me reaching over to turn on the lights before I did anything else.

Carman’s writing is top notch as usual, and he uses the written parts of each story to set up fairly creepy tales. One of his best here is in the story “Heart of Stone,” in which Carman writes about a young girl who builds a strange obsession over checking to see if the gargoyle on her family’s high rise building is still there each night. The slow build up of the girl’s obsessive behavior added to the overall tone.

Fans of horror type-story collections such as Anthony Horowitz’s Bloody Horowitz or The Complete Horowitz Horror will have a lot of fun with these slightly lighter tales. The multimedia format works well to engage reluctant readers, who can work well with the video, audio and written parts of each story. Hopefully, 3:15 Season Two will be along shortly to give more scares and make all of us wonder just what those bumps in the night really are.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: New Hope

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller 

Enslaved in the sex trade for nearly ten years, Mara’s daily life is filled with brutality inflicted on her by her clients, Enforcer and Jefe (the boss).

Jonathan, a high school senior destined for Bible college, is more focused on earning enough money to keep his car running than he is on the horrors in his own neighborhood. That is, until he delivers a pizza to a hotel and encounters a half-naked girl fleeing from one of the rooms. The awareness of a sex trade in America comes crashing around him.

Deliver Me from Evil by Kathi Macias is the first in the Freedom series and one of those books that reviewers long to recommend. For its addressing of social justice issues, for the love that has been so evidently poured into the pages, for the good it could do in society. However, the book has a problem. Jonathan’s family feels stilted and one-sided. Their lives and discussions revolve around sex trafficking and little else. It feels as if this is all the family thinks about. They come across as boring, perfect Christians, a big no-no. This reviewer found herself hurrying through the sections about Jonathan and his family to reach the far more compelling stories told through the eyes of the trafficking victims.

These scenes drove home the reality of prostitution rings and offered insight into how such things can happen. And it is here that Kathi Macias shines. She manages to convey the atrocities inflicted without being graphic. The numbness of the seasoned “prostitutes” is especially well-conveyed.

Macias manages to give a face to countless unknown victims, and although flawed in style, the book should be read for awareness’ sake.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

When the world is threatened by the Dread Foe, only twelve kids can save us. And only Mack MacAvoy can lead them to victory. Hopefully. If he doesn’t get beat up by the school bullies first. But Mack will face many more dangers than a fist pummeling his jaw: The evil Pale Queen is trying to rise once again, and Mack is only one of twelve who can speak a magical language and defeat her. Mack will have to find the other eleven kids, and figure out how to destroy her forever. Otherwise… he’ll end up being dinner to one of the Pale Queen’s evil creations.

Michael Grant drops down an age group to the magical world of middle-grade novels, and begins a new series: The Magnificent 12. Book one, The Call, starts things off on an interesting foot. Grant definitely is playing a humor card here – trying to make things fun along the way with some quirky middle school-type humor. Some of the laughs come off well, but some don’t quite make it. It was still a fun read and Grant pulls off the action scenes very well. Even the main character, Mack, is fairly likable. But even putting all that aside, the quirky humor style didn’t always work for me.

The plot is interesting enough: Mack ends up being one of twelve kids who can speak a magic language. And he’s contacted by a three-thousand year old guy who pushes him onto his quest to defeat the Pale Queen, who is pretty evil. The story switches back and forth between present day and “a really, really long time ago” following the story of the old man when he was twelve years old. The switches are often, and a little bit jarring at first, but after a few chapters, the alternating storyline becomes easier to follow.

One thing that Grant has done right and very well is the action. Whenever an action scene begins, Grant really shines through – keeping things moving and very slick. Strange monsters abound and are constantly attacking Mack and his friends. And some of the creatures Grant has come up with are truly terrifying. The nice thing is Grant doesn’t get Mack into trouble and get him out very easily. There’s a good level of danger the whole way through that keeps the reader pretty engaged. From fights in the school bathroom to dangling twenty thousand feet in the air to the rugged Outback, Mack faces more than any typical pre-teen could handle.

The Call doesn’t always take itself seriously. When it does, it shines. When the humor begins to take over and Grant delivers joke after joke, things go a little sideways. Middle grade readers will probably love the puns and funny moments, while getting a pretty solid story that promises to be a fairly decent middle-grade fantasy series.

Book provided by the Amazon Vine Program.

Genre: Detective Mystery

Publisher: LL Publications

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Peg Herring’s novel, The Dead Detective Agency, is the first case in The Dead Detective Mystery Series. Herring writes a stimulating, though somewhat improbable, detective novel in The Dead Detective Agency. Meaning that some of the characters are supposedly dead and the others are seemingly serving as their hosts. And yet, other scenes are somewhat reminiscent of a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mystery. And as in the amateur sleuth mysteries, this 261-page detective mystery has some twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right until the end.

The main character, Tori Van Camp, is a vibrant carefree young secretary, who wakes one morning on a luxurious cruise ship, where she is offered anything she may desire, including: food, clothes, recreation, and the companionship of congenial people.  The problem is, Tori has no memory of booking a cruise.  But what she does have a vivid recollection of is being shot in the chest at point blank range.

With the help of the stunningly handsome Mike and the unnervingly serene Nancy, Tori soon learns the purpose of her voyage.  Still, she is haunted by the image of the gun, the crack of the shot, and the malevolent face of the shooter.

Tori is determined to find out who wanted her dead and why? And to do so, she enlists the help of Seamus, and eccentric but somewhat shrewd detective. Together they embark on an investigation. Death is all around, the future is uncertain, and if Tori doesn’t act quickly, two people she cares about are the prime candidates for murder.

The Dead Detective Agency is not only a story of a young woman in search of her killer and the reason for her brutal death, but its also a story of the struggle to find some sort of solace as it relates to the afterlife.  Author, Pat Herring touches upon what may occur after death in such a pleasant yet humorous way, with a sprinkle of Christian faith as reassurance, one can’t help but be more accepting and less fearful of the eternal life she writes of.

I initially thought this book was going to be a cutesy story geared toward the less than avid reader, but, I must say I was pleasantly surprised to discover through my journey that, The Dead Detective Agency will not only appeal to the garden-variety reader or the teenage reader, but will be of interest to intermediate and young adult readers alike – as well as those with discerning taste for “detective” mysteries.

This is the first book by Peg Herring I have had the pleasure of reviewing. I look forward to the next case of The Dead Detective Mystery Series: Dead for the Money coming soon from LL-Publications.

Peg Herring lives in Michigan and writes both historical and contemporary mysteries. When not reading or writing, Peg loves travel and directing choral music.
Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: June 2011
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

It’s winter, well March, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (aka The UP), and it’s cold and snowy.  This is not at all unusual.  What is unusual is Chief Roy Maven, from the Soo, is in Paradise at the Glasgow Inn asking private eye Alex McKnight to do him a really big favor.  One would sooner expect pigs to fly.  Alex and Maven got off on the wrong foot many years ago, and things haven’t improved.  Yet here he is, asking Alex to do something for him.

What he wants is unusual, over and above the unusualness of the asking itself.  His old partner wants somebody, a private eye, to look into his son’s death.  His son committed suicide in Misery Bay, up near Michigan Tech.  No note.  No clue.  Nada.  The local police have ended their investigation.  Charles Raznewiski isn’t buying it.  These cases never end well, as both Maven and McKnight know.

This case is no exception.  McKnight does do this favor for Maven.  Initially, his feeling is that the local police were right.  His instinct tells him otherwise.  His instinct is correct.  Somebody kills Raznewiski, Sr.  Alex begins to look back a little bit.  There is a pattern here.  Other suicides of young people, followed by the murders of their parents.  Somebody, somewhere, is not a happy camper.

McKnight and Maven work together on this case.  It’s not an easy fit for either of them.  The solution, when they figure everything out, is bizarre but not outside the realm of possibility.

Hamilton has written another marvelous book about McKnight and his cases.  McKnight’s character continues to grow, book after book.  The setting is awesome and awful.  The plot is right up there with anything Hamilton has done in the past.  Hamilton is vastly underrated by people who only read writers like Patterson and Grafton.  If you haven’t read anything by Hamilton, start with A Cold Day in Paradise and work your way to Misery Bay.  It’s a journey well worth taking.

Caveat Emptor: Minimal language issues, graphic depictions of the results of violence

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publication Date: October 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Percy Jackson has no idea who he is. Where he has come from. What has happened the past sixteen years of his life. All he knows is that an unnamed force keeps drawing him south. Drawing him to a place where Roman demigods – children of the Roman gods and humans – train for battle against any foe that might threaten Camp Jupiter. Percy arrives, and soon finds himself thrown in with the outcasts:  a bumbling would-be soldier named Frank, and a mysterious, and somewhat deadly girl named Hazel. And now, the three of them have to embark on a quest to save Camp Jupiter from the evil threatening to erase Rome’s mark from history forever. The only problem is the mission is suicidal. All of them – Percy, Frank, and Hazel – have been destined to die.

Rick Riordan’s return to the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympian gods is a very welcome one. Riordan knows exactly what he’s doing as he leads Percy through danger after danger. Long gone are the days of random Greek monsters cropping up to fill in the action. Riordan uses every encounter for a reason – to build up the quite complicated characters, or to deliver some devastating plot twists. With The Son of Neptune, book two in the Heroes of Olympus, Riordan definitely delivers more of his trademark myth and mystery.

Once again, Riordan splits up the chapters between his three lead characters – each chapter from one of their points of view. And unlike with The Lost Hero, where I found myself slightly annoyed (wanting to get back to my favorite character), in this book, it seemed to work much more seamlessly. All three characters are highly enjoyable, and fun to follow along as they deal with their own demons of the past. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Drama
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 2011
Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of Shanghai Girls, Peony in Love, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (which has been adapted into a film), Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee), The Interior, and Dragon Bones, as well as the acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain. The Organization of Chinese American Women named her the 2001 National Woman of the Year.

In her most powerful novel yet, Lisa See returns to the timeless themes of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. She continues the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy.  Dreams of Joy provides a glimpse of the cold, cruel damage to the humanity of people that was caused by war and the Communist regime in China in the late 1950s.  In this segment the return to Shanghai shows the Paris of Asia, may have been lost forever.

Acclaimed for her richly drawn characters and vivid storytelling, Lisa See once again renders a family challenged by tragedy and time, yet ultimately united by the resilience of love.

Dreams of Joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls which revisits sisters Pearl and May and the continued development of their relationship while telling the story of Joy, a Chinese-American at the time of the inception of Mao’s “Great Leap Forward“.  It is an epic historical drama with strong characterization and authenticity – the reader is taken on an emotional journey to China and into the lives of the Chin family.  Joy is an idealistic and naive college-student hell-bent on helping China’s “Great Leap Forward”.  However, what Joy finds is not the communist paradise she thought she wanted to be a part of;  Instead, what she finds is that her commune is more or less a refugee camp – her marriage and life in the countryside are so deeply disturbing and the “Great Leap Forward” is an actual  “Great Leap Into Famine”.   Some may consider this to be a beautiful coming of age story, while others may view it as a story of a hardheaded teen defying her mother and trying to escape the guilt of her step-father’s suicide, while at the same time trying to process the newly uncovered family secret of her parentage that has scattered her emotionally and placed a wedge of anger between her mother, aunt and herself.

The adventure, if one can call it that, begins after naïve Joy flees to China to seek out her biological father – the artist Z.G. Li, with whom both May and Pearl were once in love. Devastated by Joy’s flight and terrified for her safety, Pearl is determined to save her daughter, no matter what the personal cost.  Against better judgment, Pearl leaves the comforts of L.A. on a quest to find Joy; once there she confronts old demons and challenges as she tries to reunite with Joy.  Added to the stress of trying to locate her daughter is the realization of the perils of the new China – including not being allowed basic freedoms of wearing a bra, sending and receiving mail, possession of her own passport, or even worst, not being allowed to leave China once there.

This story is permeated with the most vivid descriptions of sights, sounds and smells that transport the reader to a time and place where no one in their right mind would willingly want to go - yet, one will find themselves eagerly leaping forward through the story, to discover the moral fabric of China’s society as it unravels, with the abuse of its people, which sometimes resorted to cannibalism.  Readers will find themselves transfixed and perhaps emotionally invested, as old, new and restored relationships are woven within the dangers of this sage.  Not only fear for the safety of the main characters, but will root for their survival, but will Joy, Pearl and May survive the devastation of China’s new regime or will they perish along with millions of others?

Sometimes you come across a book that touches your heart, whether through a moving story-line, a narrative so beautifully heartbreaking it smothers you emotionally or a character or characters so absorbing you can’t quite put the book down – Lisa See’s Dreams of Joy is one such book.

This is a must read and highly recommended for anyone who wants to be vividly transported historically back in time – Lee allows readers to explore the details of the Maoist era (1958-1962) without restoring to dull dry statistical facts, as she unleashes a story about the worst catastrophe in China’s history, and one of the worst anywhere; but at the same time provides a story about the love, loyalty, devotion and strength of a family.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: March 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I love discovering new authors. Ones who write well and keep me highly entertained are a huge plus. And Brandon Mull definitely delivers with his newest book, Beyonders: A World Without Heroes. There’s plenty of action. Plenty of humor. And some genuinely great villains and plot twists that make reading Mull’s work downright enjoyable.

Jason Walker thought life was pretty boring. Just going from school to home to baseball and back. But then he falls through a portal inside the mouth of a hippo and ends up in another world: Lyrian. It’s a place filled with danger and mysterious creatures – but that doesn’t even begin to describe Jason’s problems. When he accidentally stumbles onto the biggest secret in Lyrian, it’s up to him to band together with a handful of characters to stop the last and most evil wizard, Maldor, who rules over the land. And now Maldor is after Jason. But in order to defeat the Emperor, sacrifices must be made, friends might be lost, and everything Jason ever believed will be challenged until he can answer the question: will he choose to be a hero?

This was my first Mull book, and I must say I was very excited with it. A World Without Heroes sounded extremely interesting to me, and I’m glad I picked it up and started reading. The beginning does move a little more slowly than a typical middle-grade / YA novel might, but once this book gets rolling around chapter two, Mull gives us a ride that just does not stop. His action scenes run through very smoothly and Mull has dreamed up great solutions to get his characters out of danger’s way — at least for a little while. It was definitely hard to guess what might happen, and that made reading this first volume of the Beyonders series even better.

One of my favorite things about A World Without Heroes is just how dire and horrible things go for Jason and his friend Rachel, who face endless danger from nearly the beginning pages. And Mull has given us an utterly evil villain in Maldor, the Emperor of Lyrian – who always seems to be one step ahead, always anticipating their moves, always within killing reach through a spy or a loyal servant. I love when characters are constantly thrown into hopelessness and there really seems to be no way out. Mull delivers multiple dark moments, but saves the darkest for the end of the book putting an incredible twist onto the whole story. From giant crabs to devious puzzles and traps, Jason and Rachel must face it all. Mull manages to weave things together so well that small moments from early on become important later. There is a bit of gore splattered throughout, but nothing too outrageous or out of place.

Jason’s personal journey is interesting as well. His entire life has been utter boredom up until this point. And as he grows throughout the novel he has to choose: will he end up being a hero? Or will he succumb to the easier ways out? Soon he has to question what he really wants out of life: possible death at the hands of Maldor or living to see his family again. The side characters also make this novel downright fun: Ferrin — the loyal guide, Jasher — the noble warrior, Malar — the talking head, and many others. Mull uses these characters to bring in humor — and a lot of great plot twists.

Nothing is ever as it seems in the world of Lyrian – and nothing can surprise quite so much as Mull’s Beyonders. He stays away from many fantasy-novel cliches, or manages to twist them enough to make them his own. Fans of epic fantasy stories with humor, danger, and the unexpected will definitely enjoy A World Without Heroes.

Genre: Mystery, Romance

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: July 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo 

Carrie Carter owns a small café in Seaside, New Jersey. Every morning the object of her unrequited love comes in for breakfast. However, Greg Barnes is too consumed by the horrible tragedy that took the life of his wife and children three years earlier to notice the woman who serves his coffee.

Carrie’s dishwasher is murdered and shortly after her waitress disappears, Greg’s ex-cop instincts kick into full-gear plunging him into Carrie’s world. For the first time since the loss of his family, Greg’s heart is in danger of letting someone in. But Carrie has a past of her own and the recent incidents are bringing them back to the forefront. While trying to uncover the mystery and hopefully save the missing girl, Greg and Carrie must fight their own personal wars if they hope to move beyond their pain.

With summer giving way to autumn, some of us aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the long, sunny days. Shadows on the Sand is just the book to help readers hold on a little longer as Gayle Roper vividly brings to life late summer days by the seaside. In this mystery, the author explores the scary reality of cults. While a topic like cult-life could easily push a story to the heavy side, the novel is anything but that. Using romance and a great setting, Roper balances out the novel, delivering a light and easy-to-read mystery. I recommend Shadows on the Sand to anyone looking for a nice mystery/romance. Roper will take you on a trip to the seaside without ever leaving your chair.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Cascada Productions

Publication Date: October 15, 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twitchell

Amanda James is content in her life. She works at the Getty Museum and she has been making inroads in her career that have placed her squarely in the line of vision of some of the most prominent archaeologists in her field. When she receives a phone call from Italy asking her to come to a dig site, it doesn’t take her long to say yes. Ironically, the same night that she’s slated to leave California, she receives another job offer for a prominent position in Japan. Though it’s puzzling to receive both of these incredible offers in one day, Amanda chooses to stick with the job in Italy.

Once there, she discovers that she’s the only one who is able to solve the puzzle that will allow the doors to open, but she’s also the only one who can fit through the narrow opening to get to the doors. Within minutes, Amanda has solved the puzzle, opened the doors, and found herself in the center of an amazing room full of antiquities. Unfortunately, a misstep causes the doors to close behind her and she loses communication with the rest of her team. Now Amanda is trapped. Or is she? While waiting for her team to get to her, Amanda does some exploring of her own and suddenly she finds herself a witness to centuries and centuries of history.

Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Missing Persons is the debut of an edgy, exciting new Kate Conway Mystery series featuring a funny, but cynical television producer turned amateur sleuth.  In the oddest chapter of her life, Kate navigates a sometimes dangerous path of lost love, bad television, unsolved cases, and her husband’s girlfriend, who keeps getting in the damn way.

Crime TV producer, Kate Conway has a pretty simple job. Gain the trust of unsuspecting interviewees to extract the true story and capture it all on camera – ideally, while they cry on cue. However, Kate finds herself on the other side of the line of questioning after she gets a call from her soon-to-be ex-husband’s lover, Vera Bingham who informs her that Frank, collapsed after playing basketball and was rushed to St. Anthony’s Hospital, where Frank dies from a heart attack. But an autopsy shows Frank had excessive amounts of digitalis in his body; And the two women in his life -Kate and Vera – are the prime suspects. To make matters worse – Frank’s grieving mistress suddenly wants to become Kate’s new best friend.

As the investigation into Frank’s death heats up, Kate throws herself into her work on a new television program Missing Persons. Her first assignment is the story of Theresa Moretti, a seemingly angelic young woman who disappeared a year earlier. Except, Theresa may not be as innocent as everyone thinks. Interviews with Theresa’s ex-boyfriend, her disinterested “best” friend, and an attractive, but amoral, local politician, lead Kate to believe she’s being lied to about the real Theresa. Although, All Kate wants is a clichéd story and twenty-two minutes of footage to take her mind off her own messy life, but when two cases appear to overlap, she begins digging into the case herself; but Kate needs to work fast before another body turns up – and it just may very well be her own.

Missing Persons is a mystery with surprising depth and smart, hip, snappy dialogue. Kate is a sharp, cynical, person who makes mistakes and learns from them – she grows and changes as the story progresses. The Kate Conway series is certain to become a favorite with mystery fans; and I, like many readers, look forward to seeing what O’Donohue does with the main character going forward.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Knopf

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The winter doldrums have hit the animals at the zoo—all but the young hippo and the baby kangaroo. The pair bounce, hip-hopping and toe-tapping around the zoo, and eventually the other animals join in. “Let’s put on a ZooZical,” says the hippo, and the zoo creatures all leap to combine their talents in a musical production.

Rollicking rhymes and clever variations on popular songs (“Oh, my darling porcupine,” “For he’s a jolly gorilla,” etc.) pepper ZooZical by Judy Sierra.

The gouache on gessoed wood technique provides a textural feel, almost like canvas, to the illustrations. Illustrator Marc Brown has created lively and vivid creatures with priceless expressions. From joy to dismay, from fatigue to fear, the range of animal emotions is amusing and enchanting.

The book is a follow-up to Sierra’s Wild about Books, which readers may also be interested in (a librarian accidentally drives a bookmobile into the zoo).

ZooZical is pure fun.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: July 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Wiener Dog’s cushy life with Granny has become stale. He craves adventure. So he sets out into the wide world, joins a wolf pack and begins a new life! But is life as Wiener Wolf all its cracked up to be?

Rich illustrations in earthy tones stand out as the true highlight of Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby. Something almost Brothers Grimm in nature permeates the pictures, drawing the reader in. The textures and depth of shades, especially in the woodlands scenes, captivate.

The text, however, lacks the magic of an artisan wordsmith. The language is adequate to convey the story but lacks the lyricism and beauty found in the best picture books.

The story itself is delightful as Wiener Dog treks through an adventure of finding his roots in the woods. Crosby makes fun comparisons between Wiener Dog’s old water dish and his new (a stream in the woods) as well as his old squeaky toys and the new ones (playful young wolf pups).

One scene about which readers should be forewarned: a pack of snarling wolves chases a deer and while nothing is shown of the deer’s capture, very sensitive children could be bothered by the concept.

Amazing illustrations, average language. This would be ideal for young animal fans or for dachshund owners.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

There are few books that really enchant me, but Jenny Nimmo’s Chronicles of the Red King: The Secret Kingdom is one of them. It truly felt like a throwback to an early 1900s fantasy story for children. Nimmo delivers it all: danger, excitement, adventure, and of course with her trademark style
and charm.

When the Secret Kingdom is attacked by the evil Viridees, Prince Timoken and his sister Zobayda have to escape. Lord Degal of the Viridees is after Timoken’s moon cloak — a magical web that would allow Lord Degal to rule everything. Timoken and Zobayda know that they must find a place they can finally call home — safe from the Viridees. But along the way, there is danger around every stone and tree. And Lord Degal is not the enemy Timoken needs to fear most. Someone else is after the cloak — someone who will stop at absolutely nothing to get it.

Growing up, I read a lot of old-time fantasy novels, such as The Wizard of Oz, or the Raggedy Ann and
Andy stories. Those books held a certain charm that was so hard to find anywhere else. I didn’t think
I’d ever run across another book quite like those old stories until I came across The Secret Kingdom.
Nimmo has managed to infuse such magic into the story telling here. Timoken and his sister travel
through adventure after adventure — meeting strange creatures, evil monsters, and magical animals.
And of course, one can hardly pass up the lovable, yet gruff, camel Gabar, who joins their adventures.

The language Nimmo uses in her writing here is downright amazing. This ends up being one of those
books you want to read out loud — just so you can hear the sentences come together. It’s definitely the
perfect bedtime story — reading one part of Timoken’s adventure each night.

Timoken is such an innocent character, at once brave, and yet longing to settle down in a place he can
call home. His journey is wonderful to follow, and I found myself turning page after page, just wanting
to see what happened next. The ending leaves you with that gentle ache for another story — as any good
fantasy book should do.

This book connects to Nimmo’s Children of the Red King series, and the prologue does contain a few
spoilers if a new reader has not read those books. The actual story about Timoken could be read by
anyone, however. It’s possible for readers to even skip over the prologue and start chapter one without
missing a beat. For fans of Charlie Bone, The Secret Kingdom fills in details of the Red King: who he
is and where he really came from.

I’m glad the Chronicles of the Red King have only just begun. After an astounding first entry, I’m
excited to see where Nimmo takes us next. The Secret Kingdom is great for fantasy fans and anyone
who longs to re-connect with those nights reading as a young child when a book really was magic and
could take you anywhere.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publication Date: July 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller 

Hornbooks and Inkwells by Verla Kay follows two 18^th century brothers through the school year, from fall through winter to spring. Harkening back to a time when quills were used for writing and Teacher’s word was law, this book reveals the fascinating details of colonial life in a one-room schoolhouse, and simultaneously demonstrates how children never really change. Homework struggles, recess and even mischief maintain their places in the school day.

Kay’s short verse in quatrains flows eloquently through the pages and communicates clearly, in a minimum of words, exactly what is happening in the story. This excellence of brevity in verse is Kay’s trademark, as is her gift for revealing nuanced portraits of American history.

Filled with tidbits of historical and sensory detail (“Hard clay marbles, click, clack, click!”), history springs to life with this book. John Paul’s struggles to read and write will also resonate with children. John Paul’s story line also adds a note of tension as we wonder whether he will accomplish his goal as the seasons pass.

S.D. Schindler’s watercolor and gouache illustrations demonstrate, in an open and approachable manner, the stark beauty of colonial life.

Readers will relish discerning the similarities and differences between their own schools and the brothers’ historical one. Note from the author is included.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Publication Date: 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Loveliness abounds in nature. We all know this. But have we taken the time to recognize what exactly entrances us? Swirl by Swirl by Joyce Sidman expressively examines one such aspect of creation—spirals found in nature and their beauty, purpose and fluidity.

Text notes subtly placed in the illustrations let readers become acquainted with the plants and creatures portrayed. Languorous language makes this book a great read during quiet times, while the variety of things to look at, point out and learn will transition into daytime reading as well. An explanatory spread in the back of the book delves further into the mysteries of the spiral by detailing the how or why of each example used in the book, e.g., hedgehogs roll for protection, two ocean currents meet to form a whirlpool, etc.

Caldecott Winner Beth Unique uses scratchboard illustrations to create a gorgeous, wondrous atmosphere with which to discover the spiral. The black backgrounds add a deep richness to the book’s design.

A fascinating treatment of an overlooked shape. Even adults will enjoy encountering the seemingly familiar in a fresh, new way. Swirl by Swirl reminded this reviewer of nature’s stunning power to surprise!

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: StoneGate Ink

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Ancient mythologies spoke of a bird called the phoenix that, upon death, resurrected itself from the ashes of its former life. Emery Phoenix has been burned several times in her life—the scars on her face leave the physical scars but it’s the scars on her heart that brings her real pain. She thought healing might begin, ironically, when she met a boy named Arson, but that only caused her life to spiral to the point it’s at now.

Arson Gable always knew he was a special kid, a freak, an outcast who could create fire. Nobody truly understood him. Until Emery came along, that is. Together the two outcasts worked together to discover the meaning of their existence, to hope amidst the brokenness, and to find love amidst hate. But all that led them to a place of utter despair.

Estevan Vega begins Ashes where he left off in Arson. Arson and Emery have been abducted after Arson’s powers manifested itself on a major scale. Now they find themselves a part of an underground experimental facility, human lab rats on which power-hungry scientists can feast. As Vega’s tale twists and ties itself together, the reader learns the true purpose of the facility, all while learning more about the nature of Arson’s past.

Emery’s parents—their relationship broken and nearly destroyed before the abduction—struggle to pull things together and find hope in a doubly hopeless situation. Joel takes off on a whim to find his daughter. He’s not sure why, but something seems to be calling to him. Maybe he just wants to escape from the wife he neither likes nor loves.

Everything builds to a resounding crescendo as the full purpose of the underground facility known as the Sanctuary is made known. In the end, Vega leaves readers with a breathtaking ending that leaves reading hoping it’s only the beginning for more of the story. Like Arson, Ashes takes a little while to build the context of the story. So much new is thrown in that must be tied to book one, that—just like Arson and Emery—the reader is left with his head spinning, trying to figure out what’s going down. But once the story latches hold, it rockets toward a pulse-pounding finish, full of twists and turns and unexpected events.

Vega is setting himself up to be a vanguard in the realm of speculative fiction. His stories are bizarre, out of the box, and brilliant. Ashes is a strong testament to Vega’s ability as a Storyteller—he keeps getting better, which means I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Review copy provided by author.