When someone we love has a terminal illness, we hate to see them in pain. Yet we don’t want to lose them either, so we’ll try most anything to help th...moreWhen someone we love has a terminal illness, we hate to see them in pain. Yet we don’t want to lose them either, so we’ll try most anything to help them survive and to even be cured. But what if the person is tired and wants to end the days and nights of suffering? Whose wishes do we honor? Ours? Or theirs?
Author Lisa Albert’s debut young adult novel, Mercy Lily, is a gentle story about a girl named Lily and her mother, Sophia, who has multiple sclerosis. Traditional treatment hasn’t helped Sophia, so to ease her pain, she tries bee sting therapy. Since Lily was an eighth grader, she has treated her mother, a veterarian who taught Lily to be her helper. Now Lily is a sophomore in high school and her mother’s condition is getting worse. Lily watched her father lose his battle with cancer and cannot bear the thought of losing her mother as well. The author describes the treatment in detail which I found interesting since I knew nothing about it. But then Sophia asks the unthinkable of Lily. For one so young, she has tough decisions to make, not only about her mother’s wish for mercy, but also about her feelings for Trent (possible boyfriend) and her relationship with her friends that has grown distant. Life has changed for all of them.
Mercy Lily is a story of love and family, courage and fear, hope and heartbreak, and also of acceptance. I’m not sure how I feel about the choice Sophia makes, but the author handles the situation with sensitivity. I wanted to hug Lily and tell her all would be okay, but I knew it wouldn’t. From now on, when I see a Lily flower, I’ll remember the story of Lily, a brave young woman who faced what life handed her with a strength that even she did not realize she had. Lisa Albert’s novel would make a great addition for school libraries and classrooms where students might be experiencing a situation similar to Lily’s. And of course you’ll want a copy for your own library.
If you’ve ever lost a family member, you know how devastating it is and how your whole life changes. Then, if circumstances cause you to have to leave...moreIf you’ve ever lost a family member, you know how devastating it is and how your whole life changes. Then, if circumstances cause you to have to leave the home you’ve grown up in and live in a new place totally different to what you’re used to, it’s understandable that you’ll be bitter and hate your new life. At least at first.
Author C. Lee McKenzie’s latest novel for young adults, The Princess of Las Pulgas, deals with such a situation. When Carlie Edmund’s father dies, she loses not only the father she loves but also her home and her friends. Unable to afford their expensive beach house any longer, Carlie’s mother sells it and they move to Las Pulgas, the worst place in the universe Carlie can imagine living. Even the cat, Quicken, is upset and runs away. Carlie and her younger brother, Keith, also have to attend a new school where Juan, the boy with the big smile, gives her the nickname Princess because he says she acts like royalty. Carlie has a lot to learn about the students in her new school as well as her old friends from Channing. And along the way little whispers in her heart remind Carlie of advice her father gave her. To me, these whispers show how close Carlie and her father were and how she is hurting for him.
Ms. McKenzie has written a touching story about love and loss, family and friends, and how we can misjudge people when we don’t really know them. This book would make a great addition to school libraries to help students that may be going through a situation similar to Carlie’s and also for your own personal library.
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I won a copy of this book in the author’s contest.
(less)
Do you enjoy a bit of history and a touch of mystery? Or do Buddas and the Dalai Lama fascinate you? Is mythology and reincarnation more to your taste...moreDo you enjoy a bit of history and a touch of mystery? Or do Buddas and the Dalai Lama fascinate you? Is mythology and reincarnation more to your taste? Or do Cleopatra and perfume intrigue you? Oh, and there’s also the ghost. What if you could find all of these in one story? Well, you can.
The Book of Lost Fragrances, a novel by author M. J. Rose, takes the reader from Egypt to New York, from China to France, and from the past to the present with a cast of characters you won’t soon forget. There are way too many to mention them all here, so I won’t even try. At first I wondered how the different people would fit together. The Book of Lost Fragrances is the story of Jac L’Etoile and her brother, Robbie, who is searching for the Fragrance of Memory. Then Robbie goes missing and it seems others are interested in pottery fragments that could be proof of reincarnation. The story gets even more complicated as Jac and her former lover, Griffin, attempt to find Robbie.
In alternating chapters we meet the other characters, sometimes traveling centuries back, as the author ties each of them into Jac and Robbie’s story. At times, the switch from one time and setting to another interrupted the story that I was following. It was necessary, I guess, to bring in the background for Jac and Robbie’s story. I enjoyed the read and recommend Ms. Rose’s latest for lovers of adventure, history, and even romance.
EBook courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and NetGalley
It’s easy, at least for me, to forget about the courage of the men, women, and children that settled our land. Then when I read historical fiction, I’...moreIt’s easy, at least for me, to forget about the courage of the men, women, and children that settled our land. Then when I read historical fiction, I’m reminded of the hardships our ancestors suffered in their daily lives. Because of the bravery of the people before us, however, America today is a great nation.
In author Wanda Snow Porter’s novel, Spurs for Jose, the reader travels back in time with twelve-year-old Jose Rodriquez as he faces one challenge after another on the way to becoming a vaquero and taming the wild horses like his papa and brothers. The year is 1846 and when Jose’s papa tells him it’s time for Jose to ride the young colts, Jose is excited, but he also wonders if he has the courage that he needs to follow after his papa.
The author takes us on a journey that will appeal to the adventurous nature in young and old alike. Through Jose, we learn how to tame a wild horse the way the vaqueros did years ago. Since I love horses, and we once owned several quarter horses, I found this information especially interesting. Jose and the other characters are well developed. We see their desires and bravery, along with their doubts and fears. Spurs for Jose would make a good addition to classroom libraries, especially history classes, as well as for personal libraries for readers who enjoy historical fiction, one of my favorite subjects. So pick up a copy of the book and ride along with Jose and his family where you’ll get a taste of the past.
Imagine the U. S. Constitution being repealed. Imagine going to Washington DC to protest to have the Constitution restored and have free elections, bu...moreImagine the U. S. Constitution being repealed. Imagine going to Washington DC to protest to have the Constitution restored and have free elections, but soldiers fire on you and you’re soon under arrest, accused of treason. Sounds terrifying, right? Could it happen?
This is exactly what happens in Author Rochelle Weber’s novel, Rock Bound. The year is 2051. Annie Peterson and her husband Paul leave their baby boy with Annie’s mother in California and set off across the country to take part in the protest even though they realize chances are good they’ll be arrested. They cannot visualize the horror that awaits them, however. Many of the protesters are killed. Annie and others that survive are sent to the moon where they’ll be indentured for ten years to the Freezeland Mining Corporation as punishment. Even after completing their sentence they must pay their way back to Earth, which is highly unlikely. Now I’ve never thought much about what life on the moon would be like. The author, however, paints a vivid picture of the hardships and trials the prisoners face in their new world. They have to grow their own food. No supermarkets exist where they can shop for bread and milk. At first they eat a lot of A-Rats. When a second wave of prisoners arrives, Annie and the new friends she’s made learn that the people on Earth want their constitution restored so fighting is still going on and the supplies they need likely will not arrive. Add a meteor that causes damage and death to their group and you have a story with constant action that makes the reader wonder if they will survive in this new world. Will they ever return home to the families left behind? Or is the moon their forever home?
The author goes into great detail about what the characters must do to survive on the moon. It’s fascinating. How much of the facts are accurate I do not know, but Ms. Weber has written a story that held my attention. I think you will enjoy it, as well.
Take a boy, a girl, and a mother who wants to see them married. Mix. And you have a typical romance story, right? Well, sometimes. Other times you hav...moreTake a boy, a girl, and a mother who wants to see them married. Mix. And you have a typical romance story, right? Well, sometimes. Other times you have romance, sure, but also adventure, sister rivalry, mortals, gods, and betrayals.
Author Jessie Harrell’s debut novel, Destined, has romance all right. It also contains much more. The boy, Eros, is a god. The girl, Psyche, is a mortal. Aphrodite, the mother of Eros, has chosen Psyche to serve as her daughter and also to marry her son. There are problems from the start, however. The two would-be lovers are strongly opposed to the marriage and make their feelings known. What’s a poor mother to do? Will Aphrodite find a new bride for her son? Will she punish Psyche for her unacceptable behavior regarding Eros? As the story unfolds, the reader follows the characters, sometimes wanting to shake them, other times wondering if the two lovers’ fates are destined or if they can change the future, at least these were the thoughts of this reader. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, the story would take a turn and introduce something totally unexpected, and I had to keep reading to see how the new developments worked out.
Now I know very little about mythology and gods and goddesses, but I loved Eros and Psyche, even though they weren’t always nice which made them more interesting, and I so wanted them to find happiness. Jessie Harrell raised the tension with each page, keeping the reader guessing what would happen next. She also threw in a couple of twists along the way, so I never was quite sure what to expect next. Whether you’re new to mythology, like me, or know all about the gods and goddesses, I think you’ll enjoy reading Destined. It’s a story well worth your time. I’m looking forward to more novels from this author.
Most people’s lives are fairly routine: school, work, entertainment, family. Even if we’re a bit of a rebel and like to break the rules, there is a pa...moreMost people’s lives are fairly routine: school, work, entertainment, family. Even if we’re a bit of a rebel and like to break the rules, there is a pattern to each day. But what if our world suddenly changes? What if we meet unusual creatures and find ourselves in another time, another place? I don’t know about you, but I’d want to get back home, to my life. Of course this would be after I freaked out and went a little crazy at first.
In Audrey Hart’s debut novel, The Dig: Zoe and Zeus, Zoe, the misfit at school, spends the summer with her aunt and uncle, geologists, in Greece, where they discover an ancient temple that promises an exciting summer for Zoe. Little does she know just how weird the next few weeks will be. The first clue is a seven-foot-tall iPhone leaning against the wall of a mystery room in the temple. And that’s just the beginning. Zoe’s summer is one to write about, if anyone would believe her. She learns a lot about herself and also about the gorgeous guy she calls “Blondie,” as he calls her “Curly.” You’ll have to read the book to find out why. Floods, tornadoes, fires, and the gods that live on Mount Olympus challenge Zoe as she faces each obstacle, sometimes with courage, other times with doubt and fear.
If you like Greek Mythology, I think you’ll enjoy Audrey Hart’s novel. Humor, romance, danger, and likeable characters make The Dig: Zoe and Zeus, an interesting story. This book is the first of a trilogy. Mythology stories are new to me, and I’m really enjoying learning about the gods and goddesses and the world they lived in. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.
A mother’s death and a father’s abuse can make a teen angry at the world. Unable to deal with anger and frustration, the young person sometimes lashes...moreA mother’s death and a father’s abuse can make a teen angry at the world. Unable to deal with anger and frustration, the young person sometimes lashes out at others, including the people that are innocent and are only trying to help him.
In Author Barbara Bockman’s tender story, Wounds, Craig Reeves, takes out his feelings of guilt and helplessness for the loss of his mother and for his father beating him on a neighbor’s tree that he attempts to destroy. In doing so, he cuts his leg with the saw and passes out. When he awakes, Siegfried, the neighbor’s dog, is licking Craig’s face. The neighbors, Nelson Ark and his mother, take Craig to the Emergency Room, where the doctor discovers bruises and cuts on Craig that were not caused by the accident. Craig then is put in the care of Family Services for temporary shelter, until his father, who has disappeared, can be found and matters straightened out. What follows is a teen’s awakening to the truth about life, death, and family. For Craig, many questions need answers. Will the Ark family forgive him for trying to destroy their tree? Will the Arks and the town, working together, save the tree. Will the police find Craig’s father? Will Craig be able to forgive himself for causing so much pain?
Ms. Bockman has written a story that could be about many young people today as they try to understand their lives. It isn’t always easy. The teen years can be difficult, especially when abuse is a part of it. Wounds is a novel that answers some of the questions teens might have about themselves and those around them and would make a nice addition to middle school and high school libraries.
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I won the eBook in a contest, courtesy of the author. (less)
Some kids get teased a lot at school. Some kid...moreTHROUGH THE PORTAL (Review)
Justin Dennis
Ebook courtesy of the author
Some kids get teased a lot at school. Some kids defend those that are teased. Friendship is a beautiful thing. Everyone needs a friend they can depend on.
In Justin Dennis’s debut novel, Through the Portal, we meet Jem Surwae and Oliver Pautelle. Jem is poor and often the victim of the bullies at school. He isn’t looking forward to entering high school next year. Oliver lives in a mansion and takes up for Jem.
On the last day of school, at 1 AM, the boys decide to go scuba diving. When they discover a hole in the bottom of the lake, their whole lives change and they’re soon on an adventure that takes them through a portal to another world. A 4-foot tall man, a giant bear, and Red Dragons are just the beginning. The boys meet sisters, Sierra and Rimaya, who use magic even though the Regime has outlawed magic for the people. Jem and Oliver want to help fight the Regime before they take control and kill everyone opposed to them, but they soon find themselves in big trouble. You’ll have to read the book to find out how, or if, they succeed in their goals.
Likeable characters and interesting encounters with unusual creatures in a fantasy world make for a fast read. At times the wrong words were used, such as “but” instead of “butt,” “past” for “passed,” and “where” for “wear” for example that distracted me. (This is the English teacher in me, I suppose.) Given that, the author has written a story that will appeal to fantasy lovers who like characters with spunk. This is the first book in a trilogy, so join in the fun and follow Jem and Oliver on their travels.
3 1/2 stars
Does your life seem uncertain at times? Do you often look for answers, but can’t seem to find them? Then one day an event happens that changes your li...moreDoes your life seem uncertain at times? Do you often look for answers, but can’t seem to find them? Then one day an event happens that changes your life totally.
Author Neil Hanson’s book, PEACE AT THE EDGE OF UNCERTAINTY, is a tender story of a man who struggles with family problems, prayer, and death, among other things. When he was a teen looking for more in his life, he was knocked unconscious during a wrestling tournament. While unconscious he had an experience with G_d and his life would never be the same. In a beautiful letter written to his dying father, the author tells his father of his final gift to his son. He calls himself a seeker, seeking G_d, but blindly. In a Note to the Reader at the beginning of the book, Mr. Hanson explains the reason he uses G_d as a way to describe something that is “beyond his ability to understand.” As the book progresses, the author paints a lovely description of the moment life ends, and the moment life begins. The way he tells his feelings of loss are so vivid you can envision his pain, as well as his sense of detachment and of angels singing. This would be an unforgettable experience, I believe.
PEACE AT THE EDGE OF UNCERTAINTY will make the reader examine his/her own view of life and death, at least it did me. An Afterward explains the reasons the author decided to share his story. In the Epilogue, he adds more details explaining his use of the name G_d. A suggested reading list provides other resources, and he concludes with information about the author. The ending should inspire readers to look for “the unique life that we have each been given.” The author’s story may bring tears to your eyes, as well as smiles to your face. Enjoy.
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eBook won in a contest, courtesy of the author(less)
Hardback copy courtesy of Atria Books and Good Reads
Life is complicated. Life brings joy. It also brings pain. Marriage is a fragile...moreHardback copy courtesy of Atria Books and Good Reads
Life is complicated. Life brings joy. It also brings pain. Marriage is a fragile thread. Sometimes it brings happiness. Sometimes it unravels and leads to unfaithfulness. Families are torn apart, betrayed by those they love as they search for what is missing in their lives.
In author Ellen Hopkins’s first novel for adults, Triangles, we meet three women who are dealing with drastic changes in their lives: Marissa, Holly, and Andrea. To me, Marissa’s story is the most touching. How does a woman deal with a dying child, a gay son, and a husband that’s unfaithful? Then there’s her sister, Andrea, a single mother who finds herself interested in her friend Holly’s husband. Holly, who just wanted to be “safe” is now looking for success other than being a mom. The children and teens involved, each with their own story, add to the tension in the families. Reading this novel sure makes me appreciate the calmness of my life.
Beautiful poetic verse paints a revealing picture of a side of life that brings more feelings of guilt than of satisfaction. In my little world it’s hard to imagine people actually live like the characters in this story live. I know they do, but I’ve never thought much about it, until now. This book has opened my eyes to what can go terribly wrong in a marriage and how it effects everyone involved. The scenes are intense and leave little to the imagination as the characters follow their desires, ignoring the consequences that are sure to occur. The characters are well developed and I wanted them to find happiness, although without hurting others. A good novel brings out emotions in the reader, in my opinion. Ms. Hopkins’s story certainly does that for me. I was angry at the characters for doing such dumb things. I cried along with the characters when their hearts were breaking. This novel is definitely for adults because of the graphic scenes. If you like happy endings, you won’t find one here. You will, however, find hope, I think, and come away from the story with a new sense of why people sometimes do the things they do, at least I have. We never know the secrets individuals carry with them, the secrets they keep to themselves. Triangles is a story that will stay with you even after you’ve read the final page.
What do you do when your parakeet starts talking like your mother? A white pickup with two shaggy men inside turns up everywhere you go? Your house is...moreWhat do you do when your parakeet starts talking like your mother? A white pickup with two shaggy men inside turns up everywhere you go? Your house is broken into while you‘re at a hotel for a bird contest? Your mother is kidnapped? And that’s just the beginning.
Author Aaron Paul Lazar’s novel For the Birds is the first book in the Tall Pines Mystery Series. From the opening paragraph to the final sentence, Mr. Lazar takes the reader on a roller coaster ride with more twists and turns than a country road. It starts out simple enough. Marcella and her husband, Quinn, along with Marcella’s mother, Thelma, are on their way to a bird show with their parakeet, Ruby, who by the way is my favorite character in the story. But who is Earl Tiramisu and why does he ask so many questions about Thelma who almost drowned in the hotel pool and ended up in the hospital. (It’s too complicated to explain. You’ll have to read the story.) Enter FBI agents, secrets revealed, and Marcella and Quinn are soon on a dangerous mission to find the answers to all the questions, as well as where Thelma, who has been kidnapped, is, who kidnapped her, and why. One thing’s for sure, this story will keep you guessing, for nothing is what it seems and the people are not always who you think they are.
Even with the fatalities that occur with some bloodshed, For the Birds is a fun read, especially for mystery lovers that like to solve the mystery before the characters do. The ending to this one may surprise you. It did me. The quirky yet realistic characters and the setting in the Adirondacks make this book an enjoyable read. I can only imagine what the characters will encounter in the next book in the series.
Graphic novels are quite popular these days. Now I admit, I’ve read very few. That doesn’t mean I’m not intere...moreEbook courtesy of the author
Graphic novels are quite popular these days. Now I admit, I’ve read very few. That doesn’t mean I’m not interested in them. I’m simply busy with other types of stories and have never gotten around to studying this type of writing. That is until I read Author Ben Rubin’s WHEN COMES WHAT DARKLY THIEVES after Elias Canetti.
The cover consists of exotic artwork that sets the mood, at least it did for me. You see old houses, like in a rundown neighborhood, while a red bird flies overhead. There’s also what appears to be an eye, looking at you, from a fractured face. Who wouldn’t want to continue, to look inside for the meaning of the illustrations? As I turned pages, more interesting scenes presented themselves. A black and white design resembles a figure, a man, perhaps? Or it could be an animal? Or even a spaceship in the clouds? Then we see a face and the eye again, along with the shacks and more faces, fractured faces, as well as shattered glass. These pictures, to me, depict fear, sadness, and despair. You may see something entirely different in them. Sparse prose complements the drawings, letting you in on their secrets. I won’t give away any more, so you’ll have to check the book out for yourself.
Author Ben Rubin has written a graphic novel that will likely appeal to fans of this genre. The author talks directly to his readers, which makes you feel almost as though you’re there with him. And the ending … Well, you’ll find out. Enjoy the read.
The unexpected death of a teenager is tragic. You think they have their whole lives ahead of...moreeBook courtesy of NetGalley and Harlequin Teen
The unexpected death of a teenager is tragic. You think they have their whole lives ahead of them. A bright future. Then the unexplainable happens. When the teen is someone you know and they take their own life you question why? Especially if they’re a family member that you thought had everything. Where did her life go wrong? Why didn’t you see the signs? Questions. Questions. Few or no answers.
Author Hannah Harrington’s novel, Saving June, deals with suicide and it’s effect on the surviving family. Nine days before high school graduation, June ends her life. Her younger sister, Harper, finds the body. Guilt consumes Harper, since the last time she talked to June, they argued. When Harper discovers a postcard of a beach that has “California, I’m coming home,” scribbled on it in June’s handwriting, she thinks, or hopes, the answer to her sister’s unhappiness lies in California. A strange boy who is at the house after June’s funeral and who acts angry about something, though Harper doesn’t even know him, prompts Harper to find out who the boy is and what his relationship was to her sister. Soon, Harper, her best friend Laney, and the boy, who’s name is Jake, are soon on their way to California in hopes they’ll find a clue to June’s message on the postcard. Will Harper find peace and not blame herself for her sister’s death? Will the love/hate relationship she develops with Jake change to something more substantial? And how does the letter Jake gives her, from June, help her come to an understanding of her sister’s life? Again, many questions, but I think you’ll enjoy discovering the answers along with Harper.
Ms. Harrington has written a novel that should make young readers more aware that sometimes friends and/or family members are not always what they seem to be on the outside. Inside, they may have doubts and worries and problems they do not share with others. Saving June is a story that will touch your heart and make you want to hug those you love and tell them how much you care for them, before it’s too late. There are no second chances. So pick up a copy today. You’ll be glad you did.
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