Book #84 Read in 2015
Blood Red by Wendy Corsi Staub
This is the first in a new trilogy and it is a book that will keep readers engaged from start to finished. Set in a town in the Hudson Valley--in theory not that far from where I live--called Mundy's Landing, there seems to be a serial killer targeting redheaded women. Who is his true target? Rowan, an elementary teacher and a redhead, has her own worries....her former neighbor, with whom she almost had an affair with years ago, seemingly has returned to her life by leaving her little gifts as a way to remind her of their time together. Will she lose her perfect husband and marriage if she confesses after all these years? Will the killer hit close to home for Rowan?
There are many layers to this mystery, some of which I figured out and some that kept me guessing to the very end. The characters were complex and interesting. The setting intrigued me since it mentioned places that I am familiar with....Catskill, Albany and Saratoga being just a few. I will continue this series. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
Book #83 Read in 2015
Lost by S.A. Bodeen (YA)
This is the sequel to Shipwreck Island and a good series for middle school readers. Lost picks up right where the first book picks up so reading the first one is suggested. The family is still marooned on the island and trying to figure out how to survive until they are rescued. The island continues to be scary with its unknown creatures that shouldn't exist. There will definitely be a third book in this series as this one ends with quite the cliffhanger. It was a good, quick read. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Book #82 Read in 2015
Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman
I loved this author's book The Life List so I jumped at the chance to get this one to review. It did not disappoint. Hannah is a successful talk show host. She receives a "forgiveness stone" from the girl who tormented her in school. If she forgives the bully, she should send the stone back with a letter. She should also give a forgiveness stone to someone she needs to atone to. This makes Hannah take stock of her life and her relationships, namely with her mother. But at what cost?
Well written, this novel has complex characters and an interesting storyline. This author's writing style is light to read but has great emotional depth. She is quickly become one of my must-read authors. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
Book #81 Read in 2015
From Where I Watch You by Shannon Grogan (YA)
Kara is getting creepy notes from, seemingly from a stalker. As if that isn't enough for a high school student to deal with, she is still getting over her sister's death, which caused her mother to transform into a holy roller and her father to leave home. Kara wants to win a baking contest to get the heck out of her home town. That won't be an option if her stalker follows through on his threats...who is he?
This book had decent twists and turns. The characters were interesting. It also had some romantic elements to it. For a debut, it was well written. High school girls would especially like it. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
Book #80 Read in 2015
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
This book is extremely funny. It is based on Brosh's blog and talks about such important things about the intelligence of her dogs, how to escape an angry goose in your house as well as actual serious issues such as depression. These short chapters are entertaining and fun. A fun summer read, I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #79 Read in 2015
I am Princess X by Cherie Priest (YA)
May and Libby become best friends and being to write books together...May writes the story about Princess X and Libby draws the pictures. When the girls are teenagers, Libby is killed, along with her mother, in a car accident. Three years later, May begins to see Princess X artwork and items all over Seattle and wonders if Libby really died after all. She begins to investigate and unveils many layers about what happened to Libby, mostly with her upstairs neighbor and computer whiz Trick. The duo face danger as they try to find out the truth.
This book was a good read and will keep both high school boys and girls engaged. It had a good mystery to it, plus edgy characters and humor. The graphic novel part of it will hook readers as well. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
Book #78 Read in 2015
Jillian Cade, Fake Paranormal Investigator by Jen Klein (YA)
Jillian Cade has taken over her father's paranormal investigation business while he's off traveling the world. Pretty ambitious for a high schooler, but Jillian is not your typical high school girl (I kept picturing Trubel from NBC's TV show Grimm). Jillian is savvy, tough and intelligent. She knows she needs to keep the money coming in so she can survive on her own. Then the next school year starts and she meets new student Sky, who seems a little too much of a fan of her father. A classmate hires the pair to find her missing boyfriend and it does seem to have a paranormal possibility to the case. This book was a good, quick read. It had a good mystery, some paranormal parts to it, humor and romance. This book definitely was the set up of a possible series. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
