Book #104 Read in 2016
The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Scourge is a plague that has killed many people and is making a reappearance so the Governor has quarantined all ill people to Attic Island to The Colony to live out their final days. But is all as it seems? Ani and Weevil are brought to The Colony and immediately begin to question the going ons on the island which does not endear them to the wardens. What will happen to these two brave kids? This would be a good read for middle and high school readers. It is full of action. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #103 Read in 2016
Frost Blood by Elly Blake
Ruby is a Fire Blood, meaning fire burns within her and she can use it as a weapon. The Frost Bloods rule the Kingdom and are hunting Fire Bloods. Ruby is broken out of prison by some monks who want her to free the Frost King from his curse by using her fire. This book reminded me of the His Fair Assassin series, which is a compliment because I loved those books and loved this one as well. This is the first in the series and I highly recommend it to both high school readers and adult readers. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #102 Read in 2016
My Best Little Buddy by Tom Templeman
This book is a must read for cat lovers. Tiger and Sophie are cat siblings owned by Tom and his wife and this book details their lives with the cats from kitten hood until old age. The cats come alive through Templeman's apt descriptions. A great read!
Book #101 Read in 2016
Speed of Life by J.M. Kelly
Twin sisters Amber and Crystal are raising baby Natalie together. Their parents are more than slightly dysfunctional so the twins have pretty much raised themselves and have plans for life after high school. Those plans go astray when Crystal's Guidance Counselor finds a college far away which has a mechanics program that seems tailor made for Crystal. Will the sister stick with their original plan or will their future take a different path? This was a good read and high school students would enjoy it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #100 Read in2016
The Rains by Gregg Hurwitz
This is, of course, the first book in a series. That being said, I want book #2 now. In a small town, brothers Patrick and Chance live with their aunt and uncle after their parents died in a car accident. One night the adults in their town are taken over by a parasite that makes them do horrible things to the children. Some sort of air-borne spore is causing it and seems to affect those 18 or older. Will the brothers be able to save their fellow young townspeople? This book was action packed and a quick read. Highly recommend for high school readers. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #99 Read in 2016
The Book that Matters Most by Ann Hood
Ava's husband has left her for another woman. To try to bring some happiness back to her life, she joins her best friend's library book club. The theme of the book picks is "the book that matters most" and each member select a book choice. Besides book club, which allows her to meet a much younger man, Ava is also stressing about her daughter, Maggie, who is in Europe and making bad choices. I read this book in one sitting. It was a wonderful read.
Book #98 Read in 2016
The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach
This was an odd book but I liked it. Ivan is a deformed young boy who lives in a Russian orphanage/hospital. He has one arm, nubs for legs and loves to read and write. This book tells his story....as he sees it. He describes fellow patients, his daily routine and the various nursing staff who rotate in and out of his life. It is a quick read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #97 Read in 2016
The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanen
Lincoln and his mother have moved to a new town to escape mom's abusive boyfriend. Every day after school, Lincoln heads to where his mom works--a nursing home for people with dementia. Lincoln spends his time there doing homework and writing stories but eventually he becomes invested in the patients. Lincoln has a tough time fitting in at school but finds his way in the long run. A good read. I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #96 Read in 2016
The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens
I requested this book for review because I liked The Life We Bury by this author. A few characters from that book carry over to this book (you do not need to have read the other book to appreciate this one but you should read it because it's very good). In this book, Ben is a lawyer whose wife has been murdered. Max is the homicide detective convinced Ben killed his wife. Boady is Max's friend and Ben's lawyer which is making life interesting. This is a great mystery with good twists and turns. I recommend it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #95 Read in 2016
The Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics
The creepy cover of this book caught my eye. This is a great horror read for this time of year. Young adults and adult readers alike will enjoy this book. Lucy's mother is dead and her Aunt Penelope has gone missing. Lucy and her cousin Margaret hear women calling them from the walls of their house. Who are they? How did they get there? This book does have some graphic violence in it that readers could find jarring. That being said, it is a gripping read and I recommend it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #94 Read in 2016
Security by Gina Wohlsdorf
This was a creepy read. A grand opening on a swanky new hotel is happening soon. However, there are two killers picking off the staff one by one in gruesome ways. This book was slow at times (more suspenseful than action packed) and the murder scenes were graphic but overall it was a good read. I do wish that readers knew who the killers were and why they went after these people; that made the book fall a little flat for me.
Book #93 Read in 2016
Address to Die For by Mary Feliz
Maggie, her husband Max, their two boys Brian and David, dog Belle and cats Holmes and Watson move to a country home that Max inherited from his late aunt. As they begin to try to settle in, they first find a dead body in their basement. Then, vandalism happens to their home. Is someone trying to get them to leave before they even unpack? This was a good mystery read...cozy but with an edge to it. The characters were interesting. I enjoy the little organizational tips (homage to Maggie's job as a professional organizer) at the beginning of each chapter. The mystery had good twists and turns which will keep readers guessing. I will continue reading this series. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.
