Thursday, June 7, 2018

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

SHADOWSONG

Author(s):

Jae-Jones has created an enthralling storyline in this sequel to her debut, Wintersong. This is a coming-of-age novel and written in the first person limited point of view. The story takes place six months after the main character returns to "the world above." It’s best to read this as the second of a duology, though it is detailed enough to be read as a standalone. You will laugh, cry, be shocked and even annoyed! Shadowsong perfectly ties up all the loose ends but leaves the reader wanting more. You will not want to miss this amazing tale; prepare to stay up late just to see what happens next.

Liesl and her sister have heard tales all their lives about the Goblin King and the Underground. Liesl has retrieved her sister from the Underground after her abduction by the Goblin King. Joseph, Liesl's brother, is stuck in a faraway land after the death of his mentor. Liesl and her sister receive money from a mysterious, music-loving benefactor to travel to Joseph. The old laws broke when Liesl returned from the Underground, causing chaos and the Wild Hunt to walk above. Will Joseph thank or turn on Liesl for keeping the whole of his existence secret? And can Liesl save her brother, plus the austere young man she met and the world above before the Wild Hunt finds her? (THOMAS DUNNE, Feb., 400 pp., $18.99, 15 & Up)

Reviewed by:

Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Mount Hope by Sarah Price

Price creates an enthralling Amish retelling of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Written in the third person limited point of view, we follow a young Amish girl as she grows up. Fanny makes us think of Cinderella, the way she helps her cousins and aunts. We feel for Fanny and her daily struggles as she tries to live with a family that is really not her own, especially when her uncle starts pushing her to marry someone she feels is unsuitable. We encounter love, heartache, deceit, adultery and more. Recommended for anyone looking for a fast, enjoyable read.

At age 10, Fanny Price is sent to Mount Hope, Ohio to live with a prosperous family on her mother's side that she never met because her father could not provide for his large Amish family. Fanny didn't see this move as the blessing it was until she is sent back home eight years later. When Fanny first arrived, Elijah Bontrager, her Aunt's then 13-year-old stepson, was the only one to befriend her and stick with her through the years. Fanny never wants to lose the friendship she has with Elijah, but Elijah only sees her as a sister. (REALMS, Sep., 304 pgs, $14.99)

Reviewed by Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Friday, September 1, 2017

THE TWO OF US by Victoria Bylin

Inspirational Romance

THE TWO OF US

Victoria Bylin

4 stars

Written in the third person, this fast-paced novel overcomes many emotional, physical and spiritual obstacles. Readers see the characters’ spiritual struggles and how they prevail over their doubts and fears. This great inspirational romance follows two couples in very different situations. Job well done!

SUMMARY:

Nurse practitioner Mia Robinson gets a call one day from her young sister Lucy with some life-changing news. Not only is Lucy planning to marry her boyfriend Sam in Las Vegas, but she is also pregnant! Determined to stop the wedding, Mia has no idea that the man she meets hours before the ceremony has strong ties to Sam. Police officer Jake Tanner has vowed to support Sam in any way he can after Sam’s mom died in the line of fire, including being his best man and helping the couple convince Mia to take a chance on love, like they did. Sam, who is still in school, worries about being away from his new wife for extended periods of time. Lucy agrees to live with Sam in the guest room of Jake's home and care for Jake's mother, who has dementia, during the day, giving each the companionship they need. Jake wants nothing more than to create a camp for boys like Sam, to honor his partner and teach other individuals simple things like how to change a tire. Will Jake see his dreams realized or will the town stop him, letting past events, and Jake's mothers mental decline, influence their judgement? Will Mia be able to step out of her comfort zone in order to find her own happiness or will she let her fears overwhelm her and ruin everyone else's happiness? (BETHANY HOUSE, Aug., 352 pp., $13.99)

Jenny Flacone

9780764217388

August 8, 2017

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

WHISPERING PINES by Scarlett Dunn

Dunn writes this enthralling, mostly fast-paced suspense in the third person omniscient point of view, giving the reader a clear knowledge of the characters’ thoughts and actions. There are many unexpected twists and turns throughout. This book leads the reader to strong emotions and opinions. We feel happy, sad, scared, annoyed and irritated, just to name a few, some at the same time. There are points where we sympathize with one character and not the other, and then reconsider when we get more information. We wonder, along with the female main character, which information is accurate. Recommended to all who love a good romantic mystery.

SUMMARY:

In this first book of the Langtry Sisters series, we meet Rose Langtry, who has been sent away, along with her two sisters, to receive schooling and is now returning after five years. She returns to two brothers who don't know what to think of her now, and don't much care if she lives or dies, even at the hands of one of them. On her journey home, Rose stumbles upon Morgan, her very tall, imposing, intimidating neighbor, trying to hang her brother for stealing animals from his spread. Due to the shortage of staff at the Sheriff's office, Morgan and some other men have been deputized into service. She remembers Morgan as having a grudge against her brother, and pleads with him to let her brother go, thinking that Morgan is out of line and telling lies. Against Morgan's better judgement, he releases Rose's brother, which leads to many negative ramifications. Rose vows to find out the truth of her brother, and Morgan, whether she likes it or not, while Morgan takes it upon himself to try to protect Rose. (ZEBRA, Jul., 352 pp., $7.19)

Jenny Falcone

9781420144482

July 25, 2017

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

THE LIES WE TELL by Theresa Schwegel

Crime Mystery
THE LIES WE TELL
Theresa Schwegel
4 stars MILD

Schwegel writes this enthralling, mostly fast-paced suspense in the first person limited point of view.
There are many unexpected twists and turns throughout but Schwegel makes the reader feel what the main character is thinking, feeling and experiencing. Many well-rounded characters add to the story and Schwegel writes it in such a way to not confuse the reader. Recommended for readers who like a good crime mystery.

SUMMARY: Gina Simonetti is a Detective in Chicago and is keeping a major secret from her department. When running down a perp, she gets into an altercation and ends up in the hospital. Will her secret be revealed when she catches up to the perp and has to testify? While doing research, she discovers a much bigger issue that can get her killed to stop the public from finding out. Doctors and police seem to be involved and she doesnt know who she can trust. When it comes right down to it, she decides to trust the last person she wants to in order to protect her secret and her 2-year-old niece she cares for. Will this person be what she needs or will he betray her also?

(MINOTAUR BOOKS, July 2017, 368 pgs, $25.99)

Reviewed by: JENNY FALCONE

ISBN-13: 978-1250001788

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