THE BRIXEN WITCH by Stacy DeKeyser

An enchanted coin. A witch’s curse. And rats, rats everywhere! What’s a boy to do?When Rudi Bauer accidentally takes a witch’s coin, he unleashes her curse. Accident or not, he knows he’s got to fix things, so he tries to return the coin, only to lose it on the witch’s magic mountain just as the snows come. Plagued all winter by terrible dreams, Rudi tries to find the coin again in the spring, but it has vanished—and a plague of rats has descended on his village.

     Then a stranger arrives and promises to rid the village of rats—for the price of the missing coin. Desperate to get rid of the rats, the villagers agree—but when they cannot pay, the stranger exacts a price too terrible for anyone to bear. Now Rudi is going to need all his courage—and some help from his savvy grandmother and a bold young girl—to set things right in this fast and funny adventure.

First line:
Rudi Bauer ran for his life and cursed his bad luck."

Beehive Award Nominee
I liked this retelling of the Pied Piper. I really liked Rudi and how he changed and grew in throughout the book. Great middle grade story and I would recommend it to any family!

Rating: G


Liked:
Pied Piper retelling
Rudi
Rudi's growth
The witch!

Didn't like:
Well, the rats. Not that I'm afraid of rats but there were soooo many! yuck!


4 1/2 STARS

INSOMNIA by J.R. Johansson

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?

 First line:
"It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me."

Oh my glob! This book made me tired...in a good way. Poor Parker! He has strange dreams that don't allow him any rest. For the last four years, the last person he makes contact before he sleeps is whose dreams he has. He witnesses horrible/odd/creepy things he wishes he didn't. (Four years!! How can someone go that long without sleep and not go crazy?)
Then he meets Mia. And looks into her eyes. Parker worries about entering her dreams but finds they are peaceful. And that he can sleep! Now Mia is like a drug to Parker. He can't get enough of her dreams because now he is rested. He almost stalks the poor girl. Then she gets threatening letters and everyone, including Parker, wonders if it's him.
Ms. Johansson has written an amazing, mind-numbing book. I couldn't take it all in at once and yet I couldn't put the book down. 
And the series is called The Night Walkers?? Creepy! And intriguing! Bring it on!


 

Rating: PG 17
L: No
S: kissing
V: Fighting, nightmares, blood,

Liked:
Unique story
Cliffhanger


Disliked:
Trilogy!
Cliffhanger

4 1/2 STARS

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview.

THE TREACHERY OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Ruth Frances Long

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own.

First line:
"The streetlights flickered on outside the window and Jenny looked up from her book."

This book is full of all sorts of literature: Shakespeare, Sleeping Beauty, mermaids, fairies, trees and more.
Jenny watched in horror as her brother was literally swallowed whole by a forest of trees. For seven years she's tried to find but nothing works. Until one day she's lured into the Realm and meets all sorts of deceptive people. Jack and Puck try to get her to leave the forest but she's determined to bring her brother back with her.
So starts Jenny's adventures, and there are many. While she's strong and smart, she's no match for the magic of the Realm so she has to rely on others to help her.


Rating: PG
S: Kissing
V: Fights, scary creatures
L: No

Liked:
Jenny
Jack

Disliked:

3 1/2 STARS

SMART MOVE by Melanie Jacobson

The spark was undeniable the night Sandy Burke met the devastatingly handsome Jake. Conversation flowed easily, so after they parted, she waited eagerly for his call. It never came. A high-powered career woman at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, Sandy feels she has had her heart broken one too many times, and now the redheaded trendsetter is facing a major quarter-life crisis. After some introspection, Sandy determines that helping others may be the key to helping herself. When she's presented with a job offer in Washington DC as the director of New Horizons, a nonprofit organization benefiting women in poverty, it seems providential.

But now that she's moved, two major obstacles threaten the success of her first assignment: The first is her mother and her constant fog of less-than-helpful New Age advice. Secondly, plans to build another New Horizons outreach center have come to a screeching halt, thanks to the interference of a pesky lawyer and his attempts to reverse zoning approval for the building project.

After weeks of verbal sparring over the phone, Sandy is in for a shock when she comes face-to-face with her foe. The smooth voice at the other end of the line is a heart-wrenching blast from the past. In this twist of fate, Sandy sees the perfect opportunity to ensure the success of the outreach center — and to enact a little payback on this man she thought she'd left behind. And so the battle of wits begins. Will Sandy's "flirt-to-convert" plot sway her nemesis' determination to block the center, or will his charming and undeniably attractive ways convince the sassy redhead to give love a second chance?

First line:
"Sandy tapped the toe of her high-heeled boot as she considered its sharp point and where it would do the most damage to Jake Manning."

Sandy Burke has her heart in the right place. She wants to help women who need a hand up and she's passionate about saving the place she works that helps those women.
Jake Manning is a lawyer with a good, honest work ethic. He's been hired to stop the place where Sandy works from building an annex.
Unbeknownst to either party, they met, and connected a year ago. But now they are on opposite sides of a good fight.
Ms. Jacobson is a good writer and does a good job at keeping romantic tension in the story. This is a good, clean story that I was able to read in one sitting.
I have to admit though that I was annoyed with Sandy's character. While she was passionate about her side, she never listened to Jake's side. She'd rant and rave about evil corporations and how if Jake liked her he'd back off. Jake tried to explain his side several times but she always cut him off or walk away. It got old. I felt sorry for Jake and wondered WHY! he kept coming back to her. I know he felt a strong connection but why?
Finally, they called a truce and dated (against their better judgement) and something happened at court where Sandy decided she hated Jake...again. Then finally, in the last few pages of the book, Sandy really listened to Jake and they resolved their differences. I couldn't help wonder if they married what their relationship would be. Would Sandy ever listen to Jake? Would he feel he had to constantly defend himself? Not a great start I think.
And don't even get me started on how she treated her mother. Once again, Sandy didn't listen, only judged. They did make amends towards to the end, which was good!


Rating: PG
S: No
V: No
L: No

Liked:
Sandy's real name was Sand Dollar
Jake
Clean, romantic book
Book cover

Disliked:
Sandy not changing until the very end
Relationship issues

3 1/2 STARS

ESTHER THE QUEEN by H.B. Moore

She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity... He is the most powerful king in the world... When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered.

The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore’s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter . . .

An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter the king’s harem—the first step toward becoming his wife—Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all—including Xerxes.

But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty.


First line:
“You will be the bride today,” Abigail said, tugging on Esther’s hand.

I read Esther the Queen in one weekend. Another good story from H.B. Moore, full of intrigue and romantic tension and, as always, historically accrurate. I enjoy learning history without knowing I am.
Esther is a good, strong character. Kind, gentle and strong in her faith. She inspired me to be better. That's good writing. I had no idea how long a woman had to be 'cleansed' before meeting the king. That's a long time to think and wonder if the king is still thinking about you. Even during this part of the story, Esther was kind to those around her and made many friends and allies.
King Xerxes is cute (at least in my head) and also kind. I liked watching him change into a better/moral person. And the drive to make his kingdom and people better also.
Haman is a fantastically written villain. Vile is a good word to use for him. I hated him throughout the whole book.
There were several intense places too: the plot to kill the king, Haman making the edict and Esther going to the king.
Then came the scene with Esther going before the king and then telling him the truth a few days later--very moving. I even got teary-eyed and that's hard to do with this reader.


Rating: PG
S:Kissing
V: No
L: No

Liked:
Ms. Moore's writing
Esther
King Xerxes

Disliked:
Nothing

THE DAY BEFORE by Lisa Schroeder

One moment can change everything. Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him.  And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

First line:
"Some mornings,
it's hard to get
out of bed."

I love books in verse for a change up in my reading. I love how quickly they read and yet they relay a story in fewer words. It's the same with THE DAY BEFORE. And just when I thought I had the plot twists figured out, I didn't.
Amber is dealing with hard news in their life. She decides to take the day off from life and enjoy her last one before she has to face some major changes and upheaval. She goes to the aquarium where she meets Cade, who is also taking the day to adjust to the changes happening in his life the next day.
The story follows how the two spend their day together with the vow not to talk about tomorrow. 
 I almost read the whole book in one sitting. It's pulled me along and wouldn't let me rest. I wanted to know Amber and Cade's secrets and how they would end their day.
There were a things that didn't make sense to me or were unrealistic but I don't want to give anything away.


Rating: PG 13
V:No
S: kissing
L: some

Liked:
reading in verse

Disliked:
some unrealistic ideals/situations/problems

4 STARS
4 STARS

A BLIND EYE book trailer! by Julie Daines

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When Christian Morris finds a blind girl hiding in his car, his attempt to run away becomes a race to save her from death by scientific experimentation.