From Goodreads: This was the New Beginning. Away from the memories, away from the past.

But sometimes the past comes back…

What is the secret of the old Black Pear tree that taps on Emily’s window when no one else is around?

And why did Alice, a long-forgotten resident of the house, leave a simple silver necklace twined among its branches?

Emily and her family moved to Orchard Grange to escape the memories of the past.

Unfortunately, Orchard Grange has some terrifying memories of its own…

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I was initially drawn to this novel due to the cover.  Though simplistic in nature, it is extremely creepy, in my opinion, and the synopsis presents an interesting enough storyline that my curiosity was piqued.  I started reading this novel late at night, but due to the intensely creepy scenarios Porter develops, I had to put it down and finish it in the daylight.  Though less creepy when I was able to see everything around me, Porter has written an attention-grabbing ghost story involving multiple generations and apparitions. When Emily first arrives at Orchard Grove, she is haunted by the events of her past, events that plunged her family into turmoil.  The fact that Porter is slow to release the details of Emily’s past adds to the overall suspense of the novel as the reader attempts to put it all together, both past and present, in order to make sense of all Emily is going through.  Though some of the events in the novel don’t necessarily seem to fit, Porter does a good job tying everything together and disclosing just enough information to keep the reader sufficiently interested. 

The ending is, of course, like many tales that have come before it, making The Black Pear a bit anticlimactic.  I was hoping for something a little more dramatic and a little less cliché, yet it’s still a well-written piece overall.  And, while I would have liked some more depth to the characters, especially Emily, Porter’s characters still have the allure that makes this an intriguing read. Three and a half stars.

This novel was free on Amazon at the time it was purchased.

From Goodreads: Veronica Wilde grew up accustomed to being stared at. If her steel gray eyes and shocking mane of red hair were not enough, her ability to read the thoughts of people she came in contact with unnerved strangers and acquaintances alike. When the county’s social welfare department gets involved, the eleven-year-old girl tested out beyond genius level and nearly put the test administrator into a mental hospital.

Her life-long friend, Billy Swift Fox, is equally as astonishing—materializing out of thin air and departing by the same method. Veronica’s mother, herself adept at magic, is not perturbed by the children, but Veronica’s father, who didn’t even believe in magic, found them difficult to deal with.

But Barbara Wilde, her mother, carries a depressing secret within her, not knowing how to explain to her husband, the only man she had ever loved, what was likely to happen to the daughter he adored. Only Barbara knew that Veronica, by a force much greater than family love and attachment, would be compelled to enter the Cave of the Wind. Furthermore, Barbara had the premonition that Veronica’s trials in the cave would far surpass anything she herself had faced when she entered the cave as a young girl.

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This is a spectacular novel; it’s the second novel of Hamilton’s that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last.  Hamilton is a phenomenal writer, creating vivid worlds that pull the reader in, making it nearly impossible to set the book aside until the very last page has turned. 

I really enjoyed the characters of Billy Swift Fox and Veronica.  Their ability to communicate without speaking, and Billy’s ability to appear wherever he wants to be is really interesting and captivating—I think all people wish they had some special powers, and Hamilton allows his readers to live vicariously though these children as they take on the powers inside the Cave of the Wind. 

Upon entering the Cave of the Wind, both Veronica and Billy are tested beyond their imagination, and they must learn to harness new powers and trust their instincts if they plan to ever leave the cave again.  This is a fast paced novel, following our two protagonists as they begin to come of age, hoping to stay together but ultimately learning to thrive by themselves.  I really enjoyed the many adventure of Billy and Veronica, and though their family is wracked with fear for their children’s lives, especially as they can’t enter the cave to help them, their story easily intertwines with that of the children.

I also loved how Hamilton created the cave to become its own separate world, complete with tribes and even a wicked witch set on forever trapping the children.  The characterization was great and so were the many different adventures, and I loved watching the children come of age throughout this novel.  This is a really great read and I I am excited to read the sequel, which Hamilton begins to set up in the ending on The Cave of the Wind.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Hans Swensen holds a position of great responsibility in a hidden nation built in a subterranean cave system beneath the mountain wilderness of Norway. His people are able to exist in secret because of the discovery of an inexhaustible form of energy that has led to the development of a society more technologically advanced than anywhere on earth. While physically utopian, there is an oppressive side to this society, with a totalitarian form of government in place which is fearful of dissent, disorder and, above all, discovery by the outside world.

Hans knows something that imperils his people, and he must fight against all odds — including his cousin, Fredrick, the President of the Nation of Bergsland — to save his people from destruction.

When two young vacationers stumble upon this strange world accidentally, they are taken captive and find themselves caught up in events that test them to the very core — and become involved in a drama that will determine their own future, the future of this nation and the secret power that drives it.

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Acland has written a truly amazing novel about a secret nation beneath a mountain.  Through the discovery of a special energy source, Hans Swensen was able to help create a utopiaian society deep beneath the earth, cutting off all ties with the world he and his people left.  But, when Will and Natalie stumble upon one of the doors leading into the mountain after an avalanche, their lives are changed forever. 

I really enjoyed the characters of Will and Natalie.  Their defiance of a world they never knew existed, and never wanted to be captive in, is great.  I imagine my reactions would be similar to those of the teens as everything they ever knew is taken from them.  The rules and regulations of the new world were really interesting to read about, but I couldn’t help but feel for Will and Natalie as the restrictions put upon them were quite ridiculous—for a nation so advanced, their thought process was a little backwards, and Acland superbly shows how extreme paranoia and backward thinking can very quickly turn into a dictatorship.

This would be a five star novel, in my opinion, except for the amount of grammatical errors within the novel. I really enjoyed the storyline and I was drawn into it from the very beginning, but the excessive grammatical errors really bogged me down as I read.  The story is there, and it is awesome—I think this would even make a really cool movie—but the book needs to be edited so that it flows non-stop.  With more editing and a release of a second edition, this novel will be gold.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  A sub-species of human beings…

Twenty-year old Julia Wade, a young woman tragically widowed, is in the middle of a bizarre bid between two mythical species who are vying for the unique properties she offers; her blood. The vampires need her to balance the food load of the human species and give them their coveted “Lightwalkers.” The Were wish to be moonless changers; a Rare One can make that a reality.

Julia wants to belong to herself.

Can she free herself and begin a new life?

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Blodgett has broached the vampire/were genre in her latest novel, Blood Singers, giving readers a unique perspective of the two factions.  She does a superb job presenting each distinct group within her novel, fleshing them out to the point that they become almost tangible.  The characters seem to leap off the pages as the story unfolds, diving deeper into the past while focusing on the present and future to come.  

Blodgett uses a wonderful technique in her storytelling, focusing on the present, but giving the reader small glimpses into the past as well.  This allows two different stories, two different worlds, if you will, to co-exist as Julia deals with the present, the revelation that vampires and weres do exist, and her remembrance of the past, what seems like a lifetime ago when Julia was carefree and deeply in love.  The suspense builds as the reader is given small glimpses into past events, piecing them together in order to figure out how Julia came to be where she is when the story opens.  From the very beginning, the reader is cast deep into the action of the story as the vampires and weres go to war over blood, but it isn’t until Julia’s background is laid bare for the reader that all the pieces begin to fit together.

Julia is a very strong, resolute character.  Though she is scared and longs for her life that once was, she does not lose faith or breakdown.  Instead, she takes a stand against both factions, and though she is only one against many, she does not back down. I really liked this about Julia and was excited that Blodgett chose to create such a strong female lead.  After the loss of her husband, friends, and life as she knew it, it would have been understandable if Julia gave in to the forces around her, but her spunk and constant fight to maintain control of her destiny made her a very well rounded character that captures the readers’ attention.   

Blodgett’s explanation of the sub-human group, the Singers, was especially intriguing and eye opening.  I enjoyed the descriptions of their abilities and how they fit into the world around them, and I also enjoyed getting to know the vast array of characters that set the stage for this intriguing novel.  Complete with a twist at the end that leaves readers yearning for more, Blodgett has written another masterpiece, and I cannot wait to learn more about the groups and Julia’s plight in the next novel.  Four stars.

I recieved a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

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This is a great book!  Michelle has created a paranormal masterpiece, keeping the reader on edge as the plot unfolds.  It’s unlike any other novel I’ve read, and I truly enjoyed it, especially as Nara and Ethan take on Fate and attempt to keep those they love from danger. 

I was immediately drawn into the story as Nara prevents a bombing, and the chaos that ensues afterward was extremely interesting, especially as Michelle has created real, vivid characters within her novel.  Aside from her ability to dream the next day, Nara is a typical stubborn teenager, unable to let go of her anger long enough to seek help from the only people who might give it.  Deciding to rely on herself and the ever-present Ethan, she finds herself in many jams as Fate attempts to outdo her, creating a suspenseful novel with a creepy feel to it as the plot thickens.  I absolutely loved how real both Nara and Ethan are within the novel.  Though the situations they find themselves within are anything but normal, both Nara’s and Ethan’s reactions to events are believable and well explained.

Of course, Ethan is my favorite; he’s a dreamy character, the brooding type, but he’s extremely likable and good to Nara.  Like Nara, Ethan has a gift as well, though he wouldn’t call it that.  I was surprised by the twist Michelle added to the novel through Ethan’s gift and, though at times I really wished his gift was different, it added a lot to the plot, especially in terms of the romantic aspect of it all.  Thus, even though the novel points to Ethan as a deceptive character, I found myself rooting for him nonetheless.

Brightest Kind of Darkness is full of suspense, especially as Nara loses her powers.  I was surprised on many occasions as the story unfolded and Michelle fills in the gaps in the story with extremely plausible, awesome explanations.  Michelle has done a great job captivating her readers and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.  If you enjoy suspenseful books, or if you enjoyed the premise of the Final Destination movies, then you should definitely pick up this novel!  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie’s only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie’s head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator’s grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations’ plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . .

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Imagine a world where minors have no rights.  Without a grandparent to claim them, any and all minors still alive after the Spore Wars are rounded up and sent to an institution, much like the worst labor camps known to man.  But those who are able to allude the Marshalls have a chance to squat in abandon houses and remain free, even though their lives aren’t much better than those in the institution. 

Enter Prime Destinations.  Everything they’re doing is illegal, but so far under the radar that very few people actually know about it.  But Callie has heard about the money they offer and anything, even giving up a few weeks of her life, beats squatting, going hungry, and watching her little brother suffer.  But then things start going wrong…

I really enjoyed Price’s characterization and situations throughout this novel.  Callie is a feisty protagonist with a big heart, doing everything she can to save what is left of her family.  Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Callie must figure out why she keeps waking up with guns in her hands, what her Ender is really trying to do with her body, and what Prime Destinations is planning for the future.  Price has created a gripping tale that captured my attention and didn’t let go until the very last page.  I especially enjoyed the suspense within the novel and, though atrocious what the Enders have planned for the young Starters, it was a captivating tale. Watching Callie piece everything together though the clues expounded throughout the story was a lot of fun.  I think this is a very well written novel and would recommend it to anyone

Although I would have liked to know more about the Spore Wars, as this is the first novel in the series, I am hoping that, in future novels, Price delves more into what happened in the past to explain more of what is going on in the present.  Overall, I don’t think it took away from the story at hand, but I did have a few nagging questions about how/why, etc., and though it was touched upon here and there throughout the novel, not all my questions were answered.

Even though book one isn’t even out yet, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of book two.  This is a series I will continue to read.  Four stars.

Random House Children’s Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 13th, 2012, in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

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This is an interesting psychological thriller in which Henry gives the reader access to all the characters thoughts though multiple first person points of view.  This is one of my favorite styles for point of views; first person is amazing as it allows the reader into the characters’ heads on a deeper level than third person (or so I think), and when there are multiple characters involved, jumping from character to character through the chapters helps add suspense while also keeping the reader on their toes, which is another reason why I really like this writing technique. 

Now, as this novel is about an abduction, I just want to put it out there right now that this is a clean read and there are no sexual encounters.  If you’re anything like me, and can’t stand to read novels involving rapes, then rest assured that there isn’t anything like that in this novel.  There is a psycho abductor, though, and his intentions are made known through the multiple perspectives, which is a bit scary, but also really informative, showing the reader exactly what the abductor is thinking, as well as what every other characters’ thoughts are as well. And, while it’s true that there is a little bit of back tracking and honing in on the same incidents, it gives the reader a new perspective, and Henry does a great job really focusing on the psychological aspect of her characters. 

Drew, the main male protagonist, constantly grapples with the knowledge that he was the one who took the phone call from the abductor, placing the abductor’s fake pizza order, and he berates himself repeatedly for not recognizing that the address given to him was bogus.  Had Drew realized it, he believes Kayla never would have been abducted as she went to deliver pizzas.  Imagine trying to live with yourself and this knowledge.  I believe Henry’s depictions of the turmoil that Drew feels is dead on; many people struggle with the “what if” factor and, when something goes terribly wrong, blame themselves, even though it would have happened regardless of who picked up the phone, who was on duty, etc.  It was very interesting watching Drew go through each day under the belief that he was to blame for Kayla’s abduction.

Gabie is the main female protagonist, and she was also a very interesting character.  She was supposed to be taken instead of Kayla, and the knowledge of this eats away at her, even though everyone around her, except Drew, tends to sweep this knowledge under the rug, including the police.  Knowing that a trap was meant for you can really mess with a person’s psyche, and again, Henry does a phenomenal job creating the intense paranoia and struggle that Gabie goes through as she tries to figure out who is out to get her.

Kayla, though a more minor character in the story, was also very interesting and the way she handles herself is amazing.  I don’t think I’d be as strong as her, and I admire her wit and ability to stay rational while trying to get away from a lunatic.  Overall, I can’t even begin to imagine the paranoia, nervousness, and scariness of this situation, and to even think of being in the middle of it is extremely daunting.  Henry has done an amazing job giving the reader the intense feelings that the characters also have, and I liked this aspect of the novel very much.

Yet, while the feelings of the characters are indeed very vivid and real, the plotline of the story, in my opinion, isn’t as realistic, especially when it comes to the police and the last quarter of the novel.  The police investigation seems to have been at a standstill before it even began, and the police weren’t really that involved with Drew or Kayla, telling them they were unhelpful, allowing them to continue working at the pizza shop with no security even though it is common knowledge that Gabie was the girl the abductor wanted, etc.  There are a few other instances towards the end of the novel that also made it seem a little far-fetched, but since it’s the end of the novel, I won’t spoil it for any potential readers.  Overall, I think the characterization was amazing, and the plot was decent, but I’d have liked the plot to be a little bit more believable.  Three stars.

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 13, 2012.

From Goodreads: Born into the cruel world of Victorian London, Eleanor learns that the world is purely a choice between fear or control. And, when Eleanor meets the mysterious Kate, Eleanor is introduced to an entirely new appetite for both.

A dark & haunting Gothic story, set amongst the abattoirs & Gentleman’s clubs of Victorian London.

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This is a very interesting short horror story dealing with revenge, and any adult looking for a quick, chilling read should definitely pick this up. Set in London, Eleanor suffers at the hands of those who took her in off the streets after her mother abandons her in infancy. Forced to do the mundane jobs within the butcher shop, and knowing no other life beyond the dirty, blood soaked walls, Eleanor finds herself the object of her very drunk “benefactors” lust. Downtrodden and alone, Eleanor stumbles the streets until a mysterious woman, the proprietor of a gentleman’s club, invites her to her home, setting the stage for the true horror of the novel as Kate’s business is not really what it seems.

I was thankful that this short story is not graphic in nature, yet gives just enough information for the reader to fill in the gaps. I would have loved for this to be a full novel, diving deeper in the psychological recesses of which John scratches the surface—fleshing out the characters even further, and yet, this short story still left me will chills at the end… a true horror story. Three and a half stars.

I won a copy of this novel from the author through a Readathon contest.

From Goodreads: What if there was a ring that, when worn, sent you back in time to reunite you with the soul of a deceased loved one? In Tandem Tryst, such a ring exists. In this paranormal mystery romance, three years after Jeff Voss’s young wife Marcy dies, he locates an enchanted ring. Jeff discovers that, while wearing it, he goes back one hundred years to the time of the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. Jeff soon learns the purpose of the ring when he meets Melody Bishop, a twin of his beloved wife. He finds out that Melody is Marcy’s ancestor, and her now living soul. Although Jeff has several hurdles to clear, including Melody’s boyfriend, he feels he has a second chance in this distant time with the love that was taken from him prematurely. To complicate matters, dark forces are at work, as a mysterious woman wearing various ethnic disguises, stalks and continually attempts to steal Jeff’s ring, even if by murder.

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This is a wonderful time travel novel!  I really liked the idea behind the story.  Full of mystery and intrigue, Jeff easily adapts to life in 1893, but a killer is on the loose and will stop at nothing to take Jeff’s ring and stop him from traveling into the past.  Though I found the prose to be a bit choppy in places, and the pacing to be more on the fast side, jumping from event to event, I think Tandem Tryst lends itself very well to this style.  At no point did I ever feel lost, or that events were happening too fast.  The characterization is pristine and, while I’ll admit that there is room to flesh out the events and the characters within the story, I found that it was a great read nonetheless—sometimes all the extra prose can be more or less pointless and weighs down a story.  Instead, Horner focuses only on the important events, stringing them all together and keeping the readers interest.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their plight, especially as Jeff and Melody begin to fall in love.  The explanations behind the rings powers and Melody’s and Marcy’s connections were very well thought out, and Horner does a phenomenal job switching between the language divide as Jeff transcends both past and present.  It is evident that a lot of research went into this novel, and the depictions of the Chicago World’s Fair are amazing; it’s a time period I would really like to see, and Horner was able to take me there in this great time travel novel.  Learning about the rings power through trial and error, Jeff and Melody’s adventures are compelling and it’s impossible not to root for them. I really enjoyed it and hope there will be a sequel, especially based on the phenomenal twist at the end of the story.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Dancing in Heaven is an inspirational story about my sister Annie s life, death, and her significance in the lives of those of us who loved her and others who were touched by her. Born with severe brain damage, Annie never outgrew the needs of an infant. She didn’t walk or talk. Our parents fed her, changed her clothes, and lifted her from her bed to her wheelchair and back for her entire life of 51 years. This memoir provides a window into my family’ s life with a severely disabled member. But more importantly, Dancing in Heaven is a testimony to the basic intrinsic value of human life. —Christine M. Grote

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This is a truly beautiful memoir—one that will leave the reader both rejoicing and crying as Grote relays the story of her wonderful sister’s life.  Annie, born with severe brain damage, defied doctors and lived to be 51 years old, and though times were hard for Annie and her family, Grote depicts their lives with elegance.  Through this beautiful memoir, Grote shows just how special Annie really was, how much she touched the lives of those around her, and how much she means to those that really knew her.

I was very impressed with this memoir; Grote is a beautiful writer, painting a vivid picture of her life growing up with a severely disabled sister.  This is a topic that very few tread upon, and Grote presents both the good and the bad, juxtaposing her childhood remembrances with the last few weeks of Annie’s life in these riveting prose.  It’s a very powerful story, and one can’t help but walk away from a memoir like this amazed by Annie and all those around her.  It’s is a heart-warming tale, and though it left me bereft at the end, Grote has written a raw, beautiful recollection of her sister’s amazing life.  I am in awe of Grote’s entire family. It’s an amazing read, and I am so thankful to have the chance to read it.  I know that Annie is continuing to bless her loved ones, even now, as she’s dancing in heaven. Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit.

These aren’t the fairies of bedtime stories; these fairies are armed and dangerous.

Artemis thinks he has them right where he wants them…but then they stop playing by the rules.
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I have heard amazing things about the Artemis Fowl Series for a very long time, but I haven’t picked up the series until now.  My first impression?  Well, Artemis is a genius, but his actions within the novel, kidnapping a faery, for one, put me off of him and I spent a lot of the novel really disliking him.  However, the more I read, the more I realized he was just putting on a façade.  Artemis is good at heart, though he’s committing multiple crimes, and I actually really liked him by the end. 

I was afraid that this novel might be a bit childish for my tastes, but I was so very wrong.  I actually spent much of the novel on pins and needles, dying to know what would happen next a Colfer entices the reader deeper into the story, jumping back and forth between scenes and giving the reader an omniscient glimpse into everything that is happening simultaneously, both above, and under, the ground.  This is a great read.

Overall, this is a really cute story that I think any MG, YA, or adult will really enjoy.  Colfer has a way with words and he spins an intriguing tale, giving the reader access to another world as he builds the race of the faeries, bringing everything to a head as Artemis and the faeries square off against one another.  I found a lot of the situations to be quite comical and the explanations to be perfect, making me an Artemis Fowl fan for life. Four stars.

I purchased a copy of this novel from Barnes and Nobel.

From Goodreads: A cross-cultural romance set during the fury of British imperialism and the social-cultural divide in early twentieth-century turbulent British India.

It’s the year 1911. King George the Fifth is due in Delhi for his coronation celebration. A devastating fire in the royal camp gives rise to speculations of sabotage and an assassination attempt by the Indian revolutionaries. Will the British police be able to unveil real cause of the blaze?

Raju, a college student, struggling to establish his identity in the charged atmosphere of India’s freedom struggle is caught up in the vortex of violent passions as two of his innocent friends are made scapegoats for the blaze, by the British police, and are murdered. Thus begins Raju’s relentless journey against colonial rule and the economic exploitation of India.

A passionate romance with Eileen, the daughter of a British officer, keeps Raju inspired in their roller-coaster ride against the backdrop of British imperialism, turbulent political conflicts, the fury of the freedom revolution, the catastrophic first World War and the racial, cultural and social divisions in the post-Edwardian era.

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Any readers of historical romance will really love this novel. Kaul has created a wonderful story dealing with amazing fictional characters during the British occupation of India in during the early 1900s. It’s a story of forbidden love, society ideals, betrayal, and danger as Raju and Eileen fall deeply in love and begin a love affair that could easily end in Raju’s death and Eileen’s banishment. What I thoroughly enjoyed about this novel is that there is so much character building and background information given that it’s like the reader is a part of the story. Though the novel is a bit long, it weaves together a very powerful historical romance, following the characters throughout the years as they grow and mature, fighting for what they believe.

Kaul is a fabulous writer, engrossing the reader in his story as the beautiful descriptions, the gripping action, and the sweeping romance all come together to create a wonderful novel that I couldn’t put down. I am not usually a reader of historical novels, yet Kaul’s historical fiction is fabulous and I would recommend it to anyone. Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

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This is a very gritty, real story dealing with the darker sides of life, love, and loss.  Told through the eyes of all four characters, Katie, Julie, Alex, and Kyle, Gelbwasser gives the reader a glimpse into the inner turmoil and miscommunications that run rampant among these four struggling teens as they try to find true love an acceptance.  It’s a heartbreaking tale full of abuse and distrust, making it a story for mature YA and beyond.  Readers should be aware that there is some cursing and many sexual encounters, both consensual and forced, within the text.  Yet, Gelbwasser does not exploit them—instead she treads lightly around these encounters, alluding to these actions more so then explaining them in vivid detail.  And, these allusions are more than enough for the reader to understand the dire circumstances of what is happening without it being written onto the page in explicit description.  Instead, Gelbwasser chooses an extremely tasteful way to present these dark circumstances and, though they are chilling and will promote feelings of extreme anger and hatred within the reader, the themes and overall truths make Pieces of Us a must read.

The only truly likeable character, in my opinion, is Kyle—and though he has his fair share of problems, dealing with an incompetent mother and his abusive brother, he seems to overcome his issues and care for others, though it is an immense struggle for him.  His understanding of Katie and his forgiving nature cause the reader to sympathize with him on a level that isn’t possible with the other characters as they relate their feelings and actions.  It is also interesting to note that, amongst all the narrators, Kyle is the only one who invokes the second person point of view, almost as if he has removed himself from the situation, flying high above it while placing the reader directly into his shoes through the constant use of “you” and not “I.”  This is a very interesting technique that Gelbwasser employs in her novel, and it works extremely well, creating a deeper connection between Kyle and the reader. 

Alex, however, is much harder to character to connect with due to his extremely nasty nature, and Gelbwasser has written him in such a way that he’s able to evoke strong emotions of hatred in the reader as he relays his story.  Though Alex’s issues stem a bit deeper than his brother’s, and his abuse at the hands of his mother’s johns has left him angry and despondent, his abuse of others, though blinded by his own anger, is inexcusable.  Yet, even though I despised him throughout much of the novel, Gelbwasser has done an amazing job creating him, as my feelings towards him are indeed extremely vivid and real. 

Katie is a little bit easier to understand and connect with as the story revolves mainly around her and her situation that inspires the downfall of all the characters, but at the same time, her choices made me livid.  Although the case can be made that she just didn’t know any better, and that her parents and their lack of parenting skills are at fault, in the end it is Katie who chose to make a bad situation worse through her naivety.  The overarching theme that Katie’s predicament presents is a wonderful one about standing up for oneself, about seeking help, yet that fact that Katie doesn’t is what helps to create feelings of anger towards her within the reader.  And yet, thousands of girls make the same decisions that Katie did everyday… and that realization makes it difficult to dislike her, or really be angry with her.  Instead, it’s almost pity one feels for her as her situation deteriorates.

While I’ll admit that I felt terrible for Julie throughout much of the novel, especially due to her mother’s treatment of her, she eventually turns into an ugly character by the end.  But again, Gelbwasser presents her in a very real light, and I understand her completely, making me wonder about my own reactions and what I would do in a similar situation if the tables were turned.  And this is why, even though the characters made me angry, livid even, I think Gelbwasser has created such a masterpiece.  These characters, and all they do, are very real, and it will make readers stop and think, to really analyze their lives and those of the people surrounding them.  Overall, Pieces of Us is a good story, though a bit depressing, and I spent much time yelling at the characters for their decisions.  No matter how bad a situation is, no one should ever let another person blackmail them or take advantage of them; and had the characters in this novel been blessed with a stable home and less anger to cloud their judgments, it would have turned out differently.  But, based on their upbringing and their lives, they really never had a chance… 

No, this novel isn’t one for happy endings, it doesn’t have a flowery story of love and happiness, but it does deal with reality, with healing.  Pieces of Us has an open ending, and though nothing is resolved, it alludes to healing for two of the characters, while leaving the other two characters’ future up to the readers’ imagination.  It’s not a clean ending, resolving the issues for the characters, and it may make some readers angry, but this gritty novel dealing with the darker sides of life, love, and loss is, indeed, amazing. 

Flux Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 8th, 2012.

From Goodreads: Mare Knotting discovers the beings that gave raise to myth, but what astounds her more than their reality is the fact that they are the children of angels.

A single, working mother and college student, Mare works hard to provide for her three-and-a-half year-old daughter, Clarissa – and she does it alone; Christian, Clarissa’s abandoning father and Mare’s ex-boyfriend, has never had anything to do with his daughter. Trying to make a good life for them, Mare enrolls – despite warning by fellow-classmate Daniel Stotts – in a financial-aid program, but when she turns in her results, inhuman beings pursue her. Daniel rescues Mare, but it doesn’t escape her notice that Daniel moves just as inhumanly as the things chasing her.

Once he has her to safety, Daniel explains the truth of the world to Mare; Ethereals – fallen angels and their descendents – exist… and they are where vampire and werewolf legends derive. But when Daniel alleges that he believes the corporation is truly working for Lucifer, Mare is more shocked to find that her research helped to create an army that Satan will use to try to defeat God with on Judgment Day and take over the world. Already enough to deal with, Mare then learns that Clarissa is the most powerful witch any Ethereal has ever seen – she takes to the Casting Language as if it were her native tongue.

All too much, Mare blacks out – and wakes to the realization of whom and what she truly is.

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Adamson has created a compelling story with great character building and enticing paranormal elements.  Different from the many fallen angel novels making their way to bookshelves across the world, Adamson gears her novel towards adults, focusing on the battle between good and evil through genetic mutations, creating an intense read as Mare learns the truth behind the myths and her own family background. 

I really enjoyed this novel, especially as Adamson creates such vivid characters that nearly jump off the pages.  Mare is a level-headed young woman struggling to do right by her child, born out of wedlock, and I truly enjoyed reading about this strong female lead.  Her priorities are in the right place, and though it’s a difficult endeavor to put herself through college and raise a child, she does a phenomenal job, and is believable—Adamson has created a strong woman that every reader can look up to.  I really enjoyed her as the lead character, and watching her struggle to decipher and understand the events happening around her was a lot of fun; I felt like I was there with her, figuring it out as the story progressed.

Daniel and Christian were also well-developed characters that I enjoyed, though I can’t say that I like one more than the other.  Like Mare, I am torn as both men offer such wonderful possibilities, and yet, Clarissa truly needs her father… Adamson’s ability to add a love story amongst the turmoil of war is amazing, and I was captivated as I read.  Overall, this is a great novel with superb explanations concerning witches, fallen angels and their abilities, as well as how and why Satan is attempting to create an army to take over the world.  I highly recommend it.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: I kill, therefore I am…

Voices slam through the corridor of his wounded mind. The words of his dead sister cry out. His parents’ taunts fill the silent room where he sits and waits–waits for the murderous rage, filling him with strength, driving him to kill, to touch the cold flesh, taste the warm blood–to feel alive again… A witness has seen him, but his killing only turns her on and now she wants to protect him. His wife suspects him, but the private detective she hired cannot stop him. Joe MacAree fears nothing–except that he may no longer be human. The thirst that drives him is relentless, moving deeper and deeper into his own shattering, private realm, where each murder is a delicious new gift of life, where revulsion is beauty, and the obsession will never let him go.

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This novel is extremely graphic.  It is horror, with blood and sex within the pages, and while I tend to avoid novels with any types of erotica in them as they don’t seem to lend anything to the story, this particular novel wouldn’t be a complete horror novel if these elements were missing.  Reed focuses on the past abuse of Joe MacAree, explaining his crazed and erotic tendencies towards his victims as he yearns to be the controller and not the controlled.  While he attempts to lead a normal everyday life with his wife Anne, his cryptic past eventually overshadows him, causing him to act out through murder.  And yet, he never meant for this to happen.   

Joe is an extremely twisted individual, relishing his power over others, literally thirsting for their blood.  He is a young woman’s nightmare and a psychologist’s fantasy, wrapped up in the erotica of watching the life slip from his victim’s eyes.  Yet, Joe wasn’t always this crazed.  Obsessed begins with the murder of a young mother-to-be, leaving her husband in an abject state as he attempts to come to terms with the gruesome discovery of her body, vowing to stop the murderer himself.  But Joe is not yet a refined killer, simply choosing his victims on a whim; he’s skittish, constantly admonishing himself and looking for forgiveness, yet unable to fight his obsession and change his ways.

Reed handles this novel beautifully as he shapes the character of Joe, taking him from one end of the sanity spectrum to the other.  Through Joe’s obsession to murder, his abusive past, and his wife’s rejection, Reed paints a vivid portrait of a man who is quickly losing touch with reality; Joe is extremely distorted and utterly complicated.  And, though Joe is an evil character, he is written so perfectly, truly encompassing sheer evil.  And, through Joe’s psychotic actions, those lives he’s touched through his murders begin to crumble as well.  A neighbor bound to a wheel chair begins to lose herself to fantasy through Joe’s quest for blood.  An abject husband tortures himself with the quest for revenge.  Joe’s wife loses her feelings of security, yet believes she can ultimately bring Joe back from the brink of insanity, though it may cost her her life.  Watching those around Joe begin to combust added to the horror of the novel and made for an epic ending.  This is true horror at its finest.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Jennie Townsend is unlucky in love, so she is immediately suspicious when a mysterious new student named Nate tries to gain her friendship. But there is something special about Nate, and in spite of her best efforts Jennie finds her feelings for the boy growing deeper every day.

In fact, Nate is more special than Jennie can even imagine. He is a guardian angel, sent to protect Jennie during a most dangerous time in her life. To do so, he must first become close to her – but not too close. The rules for Protectors warn against physical contact and strictly forbid falling in love. But the more time Nate spends with Jennie, the harder the rules are to follow. Will Nate be able to save Jennie from a premature end, or will his own emotions – and Jennie’s – get in the way of completing the task for which he was specifically chosen?

With Unbreakable Love, Angela Carling has created a captivating story for young adult readers, with a refreshing twist on relationship issues. It is an ode to the magical power of true love, a tribute to belief in a benevolent higher power that watches over us and surrounds us every day of our lives.

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Carling has put together a really cute guardian angel love story.  And, while there are many books out there dealing with the topic of angels, I personally haven’t seen very many dealing with the good guardian angel, but more so the bad fallen angel.  This was a nice change, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Nate and Jennie as they became intense friends.  While the pacing of the novel was a little fast, and it made it difficult to gage the exact amount of time that passes within the novel, it’s clear that Jennie and Nate have a slow budding relationship, though it seems to move quite quickly through the pages as Carling skips the boring segments of friendship building all together.  Some readers may not like that the novel tends to fast forward to the action, for instance asking about a dance that’s a few weeks away, and then, a few paragraphs later, suddenly being at the dance, but I kind of enjoyed this.  It’s apparent that Jennie and Nate’s friendship is blooming, but Carling makes sure that the story keeps a fast pace.  Yet, she still is able to flesh out her main characters without all bringing the novel to a standstill in action. This tactic won’t be enjoyable for everyone, especially those who really want to see the relationship slowly blooming, but I found it refreshing.

Nate’s struggle between his duty to protect Jennie and his growing love for her were really interesting to watch.  In order to protect her, he must keep his distance, but that’s also nearly impossible to do when love in involved.  I really enjoyed how Carling developed his struggle and, though at times it seems impossible that all will end well, the twist at the end brought a huge smile to my face.  Carling is an author to watch.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Something is killing innocent people around Rylie Gresham’s town. The police think it’s a wild animal, but she has other suspicions. There are new kids at school, and they have a lot in common with her: gold eyes, super strength, and a habit of turning furry. It seems Rylie’s not the only werewolf around anymore.

It’s up to Rylie and her werewolf-hunting boyfriend, Seth, to stop the killings. But saving lives doesn’t come naturally to a monster, and territory battles could risk the life of her sickly aunt–not to mention her own. Rylie has no choice but to stand her ground, protect her home, and stop the murderers before anyone else gets hurt.

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This is another great book in the Seasons of the Moon series!  It’s a wonderful suspense novel, full of mystery and intrigue as many innocents are found dead in Rylie’s quiet little town, and with the arrival of two more werewolves, the evidence begins to point in their direction.  But, looks can be deceiving, and Rylie and Seth must figure out who the killer actually is before it’s too late…

I have always liked Rylie, and she’s matured even more in this novel, though so has her wolf side, which makes her life even more difficult.  Yet, I really enjoyed watching Rylie’s struggle between her human and wolf sides as Reine has written it so well, so lifelike. Although I wouldn’t say the idea of turning into a werewolf is real, Reine presents the struggles of the characters, especially Rylie, in a very vivid and real way.  As Rylie struggles to control herself and maintain her humanity in the presence of other werewolves, especially those on her territory, Reine gives Rylie a very believable demeanor.  And, while Rylie’s control is getting better, at the same time, it seems to be spiraling out of control, with Seth as her calming force, and his brother, Abel, as the instigator of the wolf, adding to the suspense of the novel.

Seth, of course, is just as dreamy as ever, and his impossible relationship with Rylie, he a werewolf hunter and she a werewolf, makes them a pair of star-crossed lovers that the reader can’t help but root for.  But, Seth’s brother is also taking a stand in this novel.  Abel, though much cruder than Seth, is changing as well, and his charm and wolfish side make him a worthy opponent to Seth when it comes to Rylie’s affection, creating almost a rift amongst them as the search for the killer.  And thus, there is a major shift in this novel, steering away from the lighter side of the first two novels and giving it a much darker feel, especially as Rylie makes some choices that left me absolutely livid with her. And, while the novel is still YA appropriate and completely clean, the reader gets the feeling that things are going to have to get much worse for Rylie, Seth, Abel, and Gwyn before they can get better, and I’m anxious to know where the next book in the series will take us, especially as Long Night Moon does not end on a happy note.  Four stars.   

 I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Also, the first two books in the series, Six Moon Summer and All Hallows Moon are FREE, TODAY ONLY, on AMAZON.  Hurry up and pick up your copy if you haven’t already done so!

From Goodreads: Before Audrey was the baker’s wife, she was the pastor’s wife.

Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.

Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey’s car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there’s no trace of a body.

Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield’s wife, and he’s certain that Audrey is behind Julie’s disappearance.

But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she’ll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind-her excruciating ability to feel other’s pain.

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This is a very interesting, very well written Christian fiction novel.  Truth be told, I normally won’t read Christian fiction because I find that it is usually extremely preachy, and I am not a fan of those types of books.  However, upon perusing the synopsis, I thought I’d give this book a go, and I’m very glad I did because Healy’s novel isn’t overtly preachy at all.  In fact, there’s even what some may call paranormal activity in that Audrey can physically feel people’s pain, but I think that may have more to do with God giving the faithful abilities to do his work rather than actual paranormal activity.  But, either way, it was a twist in the novel that, I’m not going to lie, I found a bit weird, but it didn’t overrun the novel and it’s placement made a lot more sense upon finishing the story, and it was in no way preachy.

This book deals more so with suspense than anything else.  While the Christian undertones are definitely there, I really felt like I was reading a mystery novel above all, and Healy does a phenomenal job drawing the reader into the story.  Set in a quiet community, Healy presents an intriguing story that looks into the hearts of its characters and presents a cautionary tale concerning religious overzealousness.  Jack Mansfield is what many refer to as a religious fanatic and, while some of the occurrences within the novel seem a little far-fetched, this is a great story that takes a hard look at people who take religious beliefs a bit too far, taking what they deem to be “God’s plans” into their own hands and acting out what they believe is His vengeance.  It’s a great social commentary on obsession and I really enjoyed it, especially because it’s very well written and readers can connect with the story.  I feel like we all know someone who takes their beliefs, whether religious, political, etc., to a level that makes them almost obsessive, and this was a great look into what life is life for those people and all those around them, and how dangerous it can become for all involved.  I also found that it sucked me right into the chaos as I attempted to figure out the truth concerning what really happened at the intersection and who was to blame, which made this an extremely fun read, even though it was a bit scary at times.  Four stars. 

Thomas Nelson has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: René thinks he’s hit the jackpot!

After six months of no luck following college, he finds the perfect job with excellent benefits at The Power Company doing what he graduated in.

But a newly hired manager has a mysterious agenda. Employees disappear with no warning, and René is caught in a massive explosion that leaves the city of 8 million without power during a record-breaking heat wave. Riots rage and fires burn as the city plunges into chaos, and René finds himself framed for sabotage.

Only the intervention of a silent wanderer can save him and the rest of the city from a deadly power trip.

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This novel is a social commentary on big business and politics, focusing mainly on the “little” guy in the midst of it all.   Much of this novel centers around situations that those in the work force will recognize as true to life; though the exact events may not take place, the concepts surrounding them are everyday occurrences with which many readers will be able to connect.  Rene’s character represents the working class, he’s easily likeable, has been searching for a job in a terrible economy, and is extremely relieved to finally obtain a good job.  Of course, he’ll do anything to keep it, even if it’s giving up some of his free time and working on projects he’s not certified to do—having been out of a job so long, he can’t quit or he may never get another job again.  I really liked how similar the story was to so many people working in corporate America in today’s society, and the satiric nature of the story really made it a great read.

However, while this novel has a very interesting concept, and the synopsis makes it sounds like a real life drama, it actually lends itself to fantasy in that a mysterious superhero is in the mix.  In retrospect, the title portion of the novel, A Wandering Koala Tale, might give readers a heads up that this story isn’t exactly a real life drama, but I was surprised nonetheless and a bit confused by the sudden appearance of a superhero.  The Wandering Koala did show up in the very beginning of the story, creating a background for his character, but once the main story took over, I forgot all about the fantastical superhero and became completely focused on the main story at hand.  While I did like the mute Wandering Koala with ninja assassin like skills, and he did add some spice to the story, I wasn’t expecting the novel to take on a fantasy-like feel.  It’s a good read regardless, and Thomason is a great writer, but just be forewarned, there is a superhero within the pages.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.