Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 14

$25 GIVEAWAY - A MIND READER'S CHRISTMAS by AL Macy

A Mind Reader's ChristmasEric Beckman Mysteries Book 4by Al MacyGenre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Eric Beckman, a mind-reading private investigator, is spending Christmas in snowy Vermont with his wife and daughter. He needs a break from solving cases, but the townspeople convince him to look into the village mystery: Every holiday season, someone switches the baby Jesus with one of the other figures in the town’s nativity scene.

With the help of his ten-year-old daughter, also a mind reader, he soon learns that some of the residents of the small town are not who—or even what—they seem to be. There’s something supernatural going on in Newburn, Vermont.
His investigation causes an escalation of strange happenings, and soon, swapped manger figures are the least of the town’s worries. If Beckman can’t adjust his view of the world—force himself to believe in things he never thought possible—the Christmas vacation could turn out to be his family’s last.
A Mind Reader’s Christmas   may be read as a standalone book or as Book Four in the Eric Beckman series.


Goodreads* Amazon

Democracy's ThiefEric Beckman Mysteries Book 3
Private Investigator Eric Beckman hates politics. He doesn’t even watch the news—it’s just sensationalized stories crafted to sell commercials. Why should he care?But that changes when a friend is shot in the head during a politically motivated break-in. Eric starts digging, and using his paranormal mind-reading skills, he soon discovers that Wilson Kingman, the presidential candidate behind the burglary, has some supernatural skills of his own. With one sweep of his mesmerizing gaze, he's able to secure the fanatical devotion of the thousands who attend his rallies--including the very people investigating him.Worse, Kingman’s true motivations have nothing to do with leading the free world. With the clock ticking down toward election day, Beckman must overcome his aversion to politics and stop the wrong man from being elected. If he fails, millions will die.Democracy's Thief is a standalone book which may be enjoyed without reading any of the other books in the series.

Goodreads* Amazon

Sanity's ThiefEric Beckman Mysteries Book 2
Private detective Eric Beckman can read minds. He's used to weird cases, but this one may be his most difficult yet. A beloved relative has disappeared into a suspicious psychiatric hospital and Eric has no choice but to go in after her.

Getting in is easy—he knows how to fake insanity. Getting out … not so much.
The asylum's director has some personality issues of his own and is doing more than just treating patients. Now that Eric is one of them, his mind may be headed for a fate worse than death.
His only hope for escape is to work together with the other inmates. But collaborating with schizophrenics has its own challenges, even when he knows what they're thinking. Unless he can get word to the outside, the case could cost him his sanity.
Sanity's Thief is a standalone book and may be understood and enjoyed without reading any of the other books in the series.


Goodreads* Amazon


Yesterday's ThiefEric Beckman Mysteries Book 1
Private detective Eric Beckman can read minds. 

Although he reads only the conscious thoughts of the people he interviews, it usually gives him enough of an edge to overcome his inexperience as a PI. But mind reading is hell on relationships. Trusting comes hard when you know what people are really thinking.
The case of his life lands in his lap when a beautiful woman materializes during a televised baseball game. She floats in midair, then drops to the ground, comatose. 
Beckman is at her bedside when she wakes up. From the moment she opens her eyes, she has him under her spell. He vows to figure out where—or when—she came from, even if it kills him.
The stakes increase when she disappears without a trace. Worse, she holds the key to a worldwide energy catastrophe. If Beckman can’t find her and unlock her secrets, economies will collapse, and the world will spiral down into chaos.


**FREE!!**Goodreads* Amazon

Al Macy writes because he has stories to tell. In school he was the class clown and always the first volunteer for show and tell. His teachers would say “Al has a lot of imagination.” Then they’d roll their eyes.But he put his storytelling on the back burner until he retired and wrote a blog about his efforts to improve his piano sight-reading. That’s when his love of storytelling burbled up to the surface, along with quirky words like “burble.”He had even more fun writing his second book, Drive, Ride, Repeat, but was bummed by non-fiction’s need to stick to “the truth” (yucko). From then on it was fiction all the way, with a good dose of his science background burbling to the surface.Macy’s top priority is compelling storylines with satisfying plot twists, but he never neglects character development. No, wait … his top priority is quirkiness, then compelling storylines, then character development. No, wait …
Website* Facebook * Twitter * Amazon* Goodreads



Follow the tour HEREfor exclusive content and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

$50 GIVEAWAY - 99 CENT AND FREE BOOK DOWNLOADS!

Start your new year off with a great new book! Please support these awesome authors who are also providing a $50 giveaway!!FREE! [Historical Romance] The Earl and His Lady by Sally Britton  [Contemporary Romance] Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle J. Christensen  [Contemporary Romance] The Neighbor’s Secret by Kimberley Montpetit    Just 99 Cents!! [Children’s Fantasy] The Warble by Victoria Simcox  [Middle Grade] True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager  [Young Adult Fantasy] Crossroads by Mary Ting  [Young Adult Contemporary] Petals by Laurisa White Reyes  [Romantic Suspense Mystery] Fire Setters by Debra Erfert  [Action Adventure Romance] Griffin Force Boxed Set by Julie Coulter Bellon  [Christian Romance] The Billionaire’s Christmas Miracle by Lorana Hoopes  [Contemporary Romance] The Stand-in Christmas Date by Rachel John  [Historical Romance] Courting Cassandry by Joyce DiPastena  [Contemporary Romance] The Bonnets of Rescue Ranch by Tina Dee  [Regency Romance] When Two Rivers Meet by Deborah M Hathaway  Giveaway Details $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/15/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOALS FOR 2019

RING IN THE NEW YEAR!!!

BOOKS I PLAN TO READ IN 2019:

Edisto Stranger by C. Hope Clark
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Firebird by Elizabeth Wein
A Thousand Sisters by Elizabeth Wein
The Girl on the Train

GOALS FOR 2019:

Publish 5 Titles for Skyrocket Press (including contest winner)
Finish revising Sand & Shadow
Publish The Crystal Keeper books 4-6
Write Memoirs of Algonac

$15 GIVEAWAY - THE MORTICIAN'S DAUGHTER by C.C. Hunter

The Mortician's Daughter:One Foot in the Graveby C.C. HunterGenre: Paranormal Romance
The first exciting novel in a brand-new series from  New York Times  bestselling author C. C. Hunter!

Her dad’s job is with the dead . . . and he’s bringing his work home with him.
Once again, seventeen-year-old Riley Smith is the new kid in school and her dad’s career has her back to being dubbed a freak. Truth is, she’s a much bigger freak than her classmates think. The only company she keeps these days is the dead who follow Dad home from work. She can see them. She can speak to them. And Fate seems to think she can help them solve their last problems so that they can move on to the other side. Which is odd, because with the loss of her mother and her father’s alcoholism, she’s got enough problems of her own.
But nothing could prepare her for the next tormented young spirit who darkens Riley’s door. The young woman’s death wasn’t the accident everyone believes. Soon Riley finds herself face-to-face with the killer and her only protection comes in the form of another spirit, Hayden, a boy her age with a heart-melting smile and understanding eyes that make her feel safe. If she can escape becoming the killer’s next victim, Riley knows she’ll have to help Hayden move on too, but what if she can’t let him go?
For thrills, chills, romance and laughter, buy  The Mortician’s Daughter: One Foot in the Grave today.

Praise for C. C. Hunter’s Shadow Falls series:
“C. C. Hunter has an amazing talent to make you laugh, cry, and laugh again all in the same chapter!” —Crossroad Review
“Jam-packed with action and romance . . . Hunter’s lifelike characters and paranormal creatures populate a plot that will keep you guessing till the very end. A perfect mesh of mystery, thriller, and romance.” —Romantic Times on Taken at Dusk


Add to Goodreads Amazon* Apple* B&N* Kobo



The Mortician's Daughter:Two Feet Under 
Riley has accepted that her special gift is to help dead people with their unfinished business.  But she never thought she’d be tasked with helping the spirit of a convicted criminal who died in prison.  He may lead her on the scariest mission yet, but helping him could mean saving the life of a child.  The convict’s daughter needs a liver transplant and the one person who could still be a match is his brother…who also happens to be a gang leader.

Hayden’s not happy that Riley’s discovered who he is and is seeing him sick and unconscious in his hospital bed.  This feels like as good a time as ever to cross over and put all of them out of their misery….but Riley is in danger.  She’s visiting some of the most dangerous spots and confronting some of the creepiest low-lifes in town.  For her, he’ll need to regain his strength and fight to keep her safe.
But dealing with other people’s problems still can’t keep Riley from her own.  Her dad’s drinking has gotten worse.  And she’ll soon learn it’s because he’s been keeping a huge, horrible secret that will change everything she believes about her family and her mother’s death.

Add to Goodreads Amazon* Apple* B&N* Kobo

C.C. Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty-five books, including her wildly popular Shadow Falls and Shadow Falls: After Dark series. In addition to winning numerous awards and rave reviews for her novels, C.C. is also a photojournalist, motivational speaker, and writing coach. In February 2018, Wednesday Books will publish her contemporary young adult and hardcover debut, This Heart of Mine. And the first book of her new paranormal young adult series, The Mortician's Daughter: One Foot in the Grave will release on October 31st 2017. C. C. currently resides in Texas with her husband, junkyard dog, Lady, and whatever wild creatures that meander out from woods surrounding home.
Website* Facebook * Twitter * Amazon* Goodreads

Follow the tour HEREfor exclusive content and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

$10 GIVEAWAY - UNCANNY VALLEY by C.A. Gray

Uncanny ValleyUncanny Valley Book 1by C.A. GrayGenre: YA Dystopian, Coming of Age
**Dystopian coming-of-age with superintelligent A.I.**

Rebecca Cordeaux knows exactly what her future will hold: she will marry Andy, her crush of the last five years. Once Andy is ready to settle down, she’s sure he will discover that she is his soulmate. After several small parts on stage, Rebecca knows she can become a renowned actress. Her writing also shows promise as a future author. Robots perform most human jobs that can be automated, leaving many free to pursue their personal creative interests.
But Rebecca's mother Karen fears the new world of robots, and insists her brilliant daughter join a university research team, studying the hazards of a complete robotic economy. Rebecca's father Quentin was obsessed with the subject to a degree that even her mother considered absurd, prior to his untimely death. So long as she can reserve enough of her time to pursue her true passions on the side, Rebecca half-heartedly agrees to join the research team, if only to please her widowed mother. There she joins a post-doc named Liam, whose conspiracy theories rival even those of her late father. Liam is convinced that world Republic leader William Halpert’s worldwide challenge for researchers to develop synthetic creativity will lead not to the promised utopia, in which every kind of human suffering has been eradicated, but rather to an apocalypse. Rebecca, whose best friend is her own companion bot Madeline, writes Liam off as a bot-hating conspiracy theorist, just like her father was… until she learns that her father’s death might not have been due to mere happenstance.
With Liam’s help, Rebecca learns of an underground organization known as The Renegades, where Quentin Cordeaux was considered a legend. While Liam attempts to stop Halpert’s challenge if he can, Rebecca tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to her father. Did he and many of his contemporaries die for something they knew? Who is the mysterious informant who calls himself John Doe, and only seems to want to drive her out of harm’s way? And if Halpert’s challenge is answered, will it usher in a brave new chapter in humanity’s history… or were Quentin Cordeaux’s dire predictions right all along?


Goodreads* Amazon

The Silver SixUncanny Valley Book 2
What is it that makes us truly human?

Rebecca Cordeaux’s entire world has been turned upside down. In a single day, she’s learned that Senate Leader Halpert and his Board of Advisors are actually illegal humanoid robots created underground twenty years ago—and they tried to have her killed. Her mother Karen, whom she always believed to be passionately against the cause of the Renegades, turns out to be their leader. And Liam, a man she never thought she cared for, is now fighting for his life—and she finds that she cares desperately.
Fortunately Karen, known to the Renegades as M, has planned for exactly this sort of eventuality. Using Rebecca’s father’s blueprints, Karen patiently built an underground compound in an abandoned part of the Americas where they can regroup and plan for the coming war. The compound becomes an unlikely oasis as their number grows, both on accident and on purpose. In attempting to recover her best friend and companion bot Madeline, Rebecca gets what she thought she’d always wanted: Andy arrives at the compound too, along with her friends Jake and Julie. But with the sudden addition of an old flame from Liam’s past, Rebecca discovers just how little acquainted she has been with her own heart.
Meanwhile, the Silver Six are running a worldwide campaign of indoctrination to ensure that the people are on their side. In the name of peace, they want nothing more than to wipe out every shred of resistance, while pursuing their ultimate goal of robotic superintelligence. With the assistance of a neuroscientist who helped to build the Silver Six decades ago, Rebecca attempts to understand how synthetic minds work, hoping this information can be used against them. She’s sure that the mysterious, brilliant, and beautiful Alessandra Russo is the key somehow, but Alex’s hatred for the Silver Six is only matched by her hatred for the Renegades. Can the Renegades find and exploit the weakness of the Silver Six before synthetic intelligence passes the point of no return?

Goodreads* Amazon

JaguarUncanny Valley Book 3
The Silver Six have blown the Renegades’ underground compound to bits, killing several of Rebecca’s best friends in the process—and to her horror, the boy Rebecca had convinced herself she loved for all these years was the one to betray them all. At the same time, General Specs, the company Liam was once slated to inherit, has developed a superintelligent robot called Jaguar which is quickly becoming godlike in her omniscience. As the remaining Renegades flee to their last bastion of safety in the Caribbean, Liam makes his way back to London, in a last ditch effort to convince his father to destroy Jaguar before it’s too late.

Rebecca, meanwhile, finally understands her own heart: she never loved Andy. He was merely a ‘safe’ choice who would never require anything of her. Liam, on the other hand, exasperating as he was, had seen past her defenses. All of his teasing and provoking had been his attempt to get her to be real with him—but the more he made her feel, the further she had retreated. She had even substituted her companion bot Madeline for real, deep human friendships, and for the same reason: she’d been avoiding love to protect herself from another loss like the one she had experienced when her father was killed for the Renegades’ cause. Ironically, she only realizes this once Liam is on his way to a similar fate. But she’ll be damned if she lets him go without a fight.
This high stakes conclusion to the Uncanny Valley Trilogy envisions a world not too far off from our own, in which superintelligence is a reality, humanoid bots have supplanted human power and influence, and there are eyes watching and reporting our every move. If humanity is to survive, the Renegades will have to galvanize support across the globe, under the radar—and it will require every last bit of ingenuity they possess. But is attempting to outwit a superintelligent being really the answer? Or will it require something much more fundamentally human?

Goodreads* Amazon

C.A. Gray is the author of three YA Amazon bestselling trilogies: PIERCING THE VEIL (magic and quantum physics meet Arthurian legends), THE LIBERTY BOX (dystopian metaphysics and mind control technology), and UNCANNY VALLEY (dystopian coming-of-age with neuroscience and super intelligent A.I). She starts with some scientific concept that she’s interested in learning more about herself, and then creates lots of epic chaos and high-stakes action to go along with it. Her stories are free of gratuitous violence, language, and sexual content, and she abhors depressing endings… but they’re not all kittens and rainbows either! She also listens to and reviews audiobooks on her website, here on Goodreads, on Instagram, and on her podcast, Clean Audiobook Reviews, where she also occasionally interviews other authors.

By day, C.A. Gray practices naturopathic medicine, podcasts, and writes medical non-fiction under her maiden name (Dr. Lauren Deville). She lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband Frank, and together they maintain an occasionally contentious film review blog (under her real name: Lauren Baden. Three names. Yes.) She’s kind of the queen of multitasking—so in her spare time, she creates whatever meals or crafts she found most recently on Pinterest, drinks lots of coffee (Aeropress btw) and occasional wine (reds—and she saves the corks for craft projects), works out (while listening to audiobooks), and studies the Bible—about half of the podcasts on Christian Natural Health are scripture meditations.
She does sleep, too. Promise.

Website* Facebook * Twitter * Instagram* Amazon* Goodreads

Follow the tour HEREfor exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: ENDANGERED by Eliot Shrefer

ENDANGERED
Eliot Shrefer
Scholastic
Ages 12 +

Congo is a dangerous place, even for people who are trying to do good.

When Sophie has to visit her mother at her sanctuary for bonobos, she’s not thrilled to be there. Then Otto, an infant bonobo, comes into her life, and for the first time she feels responsible for another creature.

But peace does not last long for Sophie and Otto. When an armed revolution breaks out in the country, the sanctuary is attacked, and the two of them must escape unprepared into the jungle. Caught in the crosshairs of a lethal conflict, they must struggle to keep safe, to eat, and to live.

MY REVIEW:

From the very first page, I could not put ENDANGERED down. In fact, until about half way through the book, I thought this was non-fiction, a memoir. It was so realistic and detailed! But this is indeed fiction, well-researched fiction.

Sophie returns to Congo to spend the summer with her mother, who runs a bonobo sanctuary. While there, she becomes attached to an orphan bonobo named Otto. When the sanctuary and the nearby city are attacked by rebels, Sophie and Otto must not only survive alone in the jungle, but they must also find Sophie's mother.

One of the most powerful books I've read all year. I truly felt as though I were navigating the jungle right alongside Sophie. Heart-wrenching, intense, triumphant! A must read!



CONTENT REVIEW:

Language: None
Violence: High
Sexuality: Mild

35+ EBOOK GIVEAWAY

Win up to 35+ eBooks!(2) Grand Prize "Gift Baskets" of ALL eBooks!
(35+) Winners of Individual eBooks (randomly selected titles)

WRITER 2 WRITER: WRITING YOUR GOALS FOR 2019

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” – Melody Beattie

When it comes to setting goals, many of us begin a new year with a slew of good intentions. “I’ll lose weight.” “I do better in school.” “I’ll make more money.” “I’ll spend more time with my family.” But by the time the year ends, many of those goals have either remained unachieved or have been forgotten altogether.

So, how do we improve our chances of actually reaching our goals?

STEP ONE: WRITE IT DOWN. I’ve heard it said that a goal unwritten is nothing but a wish unfulfilled. The act of writing, of putting pen to paper, creates permanent connections between the words on the page and your brain. In other words, what you write down is far more likely to be remembered and will become part of your regular thought process.

STEP TWO: CHOOSE CONCRETE GOALS. Avoid generalizations like those mentioned above. Instead, each goal should be both specific and within your control rather than relying on chance or other people to accomplish. “I will lose 20 pounds.” “I will earn 95% on my next exam.” “I will increase my income by $250 a month.”


STEP THREE: SET A DATE. New Year’s resolutions tend to be open-ended, which can invite procrastination and failure. It is important to literally circle a date on the calendar. If that date needs to be changed later on, that’s fine. Then change the date. But have a date, and do your best to stick to it.

STEP FOUR: MAKE A PLAN. How are you going to achieve your goals? What needs to be done first? Second? What steps will you take today? Write these steps beneath your goal and target date.


STEP FIVE: KEEP IT VISIBLE. If you write your goals in a journal or diary and then tuck it away never to be seen again, it will eventually be forgotten. Attach your sticky note to your bathroom mirror. Hang your calendar on your office wall. Keep your goal on whichever planner page you open to each day. Make sure you see it every single day.

STEP SIX: REWARD YOURSELF. Achieving a goal is an huge accomplishment! Pat yourself on the back not only for reaching your final goal, but also for each smaller step along the way. And equally important is to NOT beat yourself up when things don’t go quite as planned. Don’t let failure stop you from trying again.

What goals have your set for yourself for 2019? Great! Now, write them down!

THE GIFTS OF THE WISE MEN

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts, but few stop to consider what the tradition represents. The first gifts of Christmas are thought to have been given by the Magi, wise men from the East who followed a new star to worship the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Tradition claims there were three Magi, but the scriptures do not specify the actual number. In fact, there were probably more than three, or at least the Magi (however many there were) were likely accompanied by a huge entourage. When they arrived in Judea, there was nothing secret about their appearance. In fact, they were rather audacious. They marched right up to King Herod’s palace and demanded to know the location of “he who was born King of the Jews” (vs. 2). The Bible says that King Herod was troubled “and all of Jerusalem with him” (v. 3).

If there were only three men visiting from some far orient land, Herod would probably have had them killed. Instead he was troubled, not only by the presence of these Magi in his court, but also by their pronouncement that the rightful heir to Herod’s Roman-bestowed crown had been born and was living somewhere within his region.

Who were these Magi, and why is their story so significant to us today?

While no one knows for certain who they were, since the Bible does not identify them except to say they came from the East, many historians believe they came from Persia, today’s Iraq, and were of the same order as the ancient Babylonian Magi of whom the prophet Daniel (a transplant from Jerusalem) eventually became leader. Those Magi were not only court “magicians”, they also had the authority to crown a man king. Daniel had prophesied when the Jewish Messiah would be born and that a new star would appear as a sign. Could it be that for six hundred years, the Magi and their descendants had anticipated the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophesies, and understood their significance to the Jewish people?

Throughout Israel’s history, Babylon had been a constant threat. The great Persian empire had conquered Israel on several occasions. So, when an entourage of Magi and possibly soldiers (why would revered holy men travel such a great distance without protection?), it would only be natural that King Herod and all Jerusalem would be worried. But to Herod’s relief, they had not come to attack Israel, but only to worship its new king. The announcement was an intentional insult. They knew and Herod knew he had no right to his power except for what the Romans had given him.
From the start of their visit, Herod began plotting the demise of this infant king. After he demanded of his own priests and scribes to locate the baby, he privately coaxed the Magi to return to his palace once they had found him, so Herod could worship him also (vs. 4 – 8). Later, after the Magi returned to their own land by another way, and Joseph and Mary had fled with Jesus to Egypt, Herod commanded that all children under the age of two years were to be killed (vs. 12-16) in order to protect his throne from any possible usurper.

But before the slaughter and the clandestine escape, the Magi found their king and bestowed upon him three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (vs. 11). Why these three gifts? Remember that these Babylonian wise men were king-makers. They also had inherited the prophesies of Daniel and knew of the coming of the Messiah. In other words, they understood who this little baby was and what he would mean to the world.

So, they gave him gold, a gift fit for a king, the boy who was a literal descendant of King David and who might have laid claim to the throne had Israel not been occupied by Rome at the time.
They gave him frankincense, a priceless fragrant resin traditionally used in embalming to help mask the smell of decay. This gift was a recognition of Jesus’ forthcoming sacrificial death.

Finally, they gave him myrrh, an ingredient in Jewish holy oil used to anoint both High Priests in the temple and kings. This gift was an emblem of Jesus’ divinity, given to Him who was “the great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14) and Son of God.

These gifts given by the wise men were more than just gifts. They were the Magis’ witness to the royalty and divinity of Jesus, and of the sacrifice he would one day make for mankind. Today’s tradition of giving gifts should remind us what Christmas is all about. It’s not about our gifts, but about the greatest gift ever given: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever should believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
May you cherish the gifts you give and receive this Christmas, and take a moment to reflect on Him who gave all.

Merry Christmas.

BOOK REVIEW: ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline

ORPHAN TRAIN
Christina Baker Kline
William Morrow
Historical Fiction

Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse...

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life—answers that will ultimately free them both.

MY REVIEW:

Delightful tale of two orphans: Molly, a 17-year-old girl unhappy in her foster care home, and Dorothy, a young girl transported by train to Minnesota in 1929. When Molly takes on the task of "cleaning out" a 90-year-old woman's attic, she instead discovers a fascinating and often heartbreaking tale of a life full of tragedy, trials, and even some joys. Molly helps the old woman, Vivian, face her past, while Vivian helps Molly repair her present.

Orphan Train is written in simple, clear language, yet the stories of Molly and Vivian are so compelling that I was completely hooked from page one. The setting and voice alternate between Molly in present-day and Vivian/Dorothy from 1929-1943. While sometimes in books that alternate narrators, I tend to want to skip chapters, I fell in love equally with both stories. They were woven together so beautifully, and though the ending is a tad expected, it is a happy ending that it made me want to read the book all over again.  Highly recommended!



CONTENT RATING:

Profanity: High (some "F" bombs)
Sexuality: Moderate (describes attempted molestation)
Violence: Mild