Frostfire

"Hidden Deep in the Heart of a Snow-Covered Wilderness Lies the Secret Kingdom of the Kanin - A Magical Realm as Beautiful as it is Treacherous..."

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Having never been completely accepted among her kingdom because she is both Kanin and Skojar, Bryn dedicates herself in her work as a Tracker, who leaves the safety of the Trolls' home to find and return with the Changlings placed in our world as babies once they have grown old enough. But, when on a routine mission, she comes face to face with the man who tried to kill her father and stabbed her years ago, Konstantin Black. Unsure what he was doing following a Changling, Bryn tries to focus on events and duties at home but something is wrong. As Konstantin continues going after Changlings, she and the other Trackers have to keep the kingdom safe. Yet, while Bryn wants to bring Konstantin to "justice," there is something that isn't right. Mysteries and fantasy abound in this first installment of The Kanin Chronicles.

Author - Amanda Hocking

Publisher - St. Martin's Griffin

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Several characters have "romantic encounters" casually. Swearing every few pages. A diversity in gender preferences for relationships. Faithfull to country and protecting those in danger. Determination to do their duty. Wanting revenge but sees there might be more to the situation that can be seen.

Personal Opinion - Filled with intrigue, action, and mystery, Frostfire was one of the most engaging and captivating books I have ever read. Even though this is based off a fairy tale yet, it is so light and woven together so well, it is its own story. The life of Bryn is complicated and so are the morals and practices of the world, creating conflict. I like how it takes place in our world yet is hidden. The author is also Minnesotan, my home state, which is just cool and, in my opinion, give credibility for writing a world filled with snow and, later, a country with water, two major parts of MN. However, I did rate this at only 3 stars and my reasons for that is the morality presented in the novel. *May Be Spoilers* Within the first chapter, a character makes a video call and connects with another character who is just finishing a "nooner". While there was nothing explicit, all the while presenting this as no big deal, just their way of life, it felt like in appropriate material, this event and subsequent references or desires that were clearly hinted yet not detailed, for teens. People do have different ideas on appropriateness of this stuff but I was uncomfortable with it being in a book meant for this age group. That was my number one issue and is making me question if I will continue reading the books even though I want to know what happens next. Second, there were some laws broken in our world that the characters did in order to escape trouble and they have the philosophy of "the ends justified the means" going for them. There were lastly a few swear words every several pages which I can usually live with so this was not a make it or break it issue. I think I may continue reading the series, not only to see how the story goes and understand the mysteries set up but also to see how the morals of the characters and the practices of the society, the Changling practice which causes some friction between characters, is covered. I want to know if the world created still thinks these ways are still okay or if their way of thinking and seeing things change even though, right now, they are defending them.

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The Little Paris Bookshop

"A Warm and Charming Tale of
Love, Loss,
and the Power of Reading"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

Internationally bestselling and filled with warmth and adventure, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people's lives.

(Summary copied from Amazon)

Author - Nina George

Publisher - Crown Publishers

Age Group - 18 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Love making and such is a popular topic (weather or not someone was already married didn't matter). Regret is struggled with as well as guilt. Searching for love and belonging is what the characters want most, romantically and otherwise. Jean helps others and sees what they need to give them the book that will help them heal.

Personal Opinion - I decided not to finish this book 32% into it because of all the pretty detailed "romantic" scenes in it. I can do without all those details in a book (or movie or TV show for that matter); I get what the characters did and I don't need to be there for it. It is something that makes me personally uncomfortable. Besides my personal feelings, the story also tended to be direct in the information it shared with the reader and some of it was repeated (I don't know how many times it went over each neighbor he lived with in the apartment and what they read). It tended to make the story longer and was summary in a way. Yet, the best thing about this book was when it was on the Literary Apothecary and talked about books and their healing properties. It is why I wanted to read this in the first place and it was beautiful. It is exactly how I think of books, perfectly creating an image of what books are in our world. The cover flap said this book was also about love and loss as well as how books affect us and it was doing a superb job of creating characters that were involved in all of that but I just didn't need that detailed of the "love."

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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The Looking Glass Wars - Book 1

(Picture from Goodreads)

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms
 

Storyline - Alyss is the princess of Wonderland until her family is destroyed by her own aunt, Redd, and she escapes into our world. Yet, no one believes her story. Then Alyss meets the one man who seemed to consider it true and then retells her tale incorrect, not even getting her name right. It seems the only way to survive is to forget. But Wonderland is deteriorating under Redd's control and the rebellious force is struggling to survive. When Alyss is finally found, will she have the strength to take back her throne after years of suppressing the memories?

Author - Frank Beddor

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Lots of killing and blood spurting. Some characters search for revenge for what Redd has done. Alyss is determined to remember her true home but has trouble believing when everyone doubts her in our world. The characters are determined to save Wonderland and bring back White Imagination; staying faithful to their cause when things get tough.

Personal Opinion - While this book has an interesting take on the Alice in Wonderland story, I'm afraid I found it long and slow. Alyss's story is fun and the changes were creative from the story we know and the story that is presented here. The story is also heartfelt and makes one think what is right and wrong as it presents the White and Black Imagination that becomes a center of the struggle. Yet, I found the author spent a bit of time and description that wasn't needed and then on instances where I would have liked to see the events happen they were summarized. This made it long. The reader too was irritating sometimes so I can't tell if my dislike for the story was because it was read to me or the story itself. Anyone who really likes the original tale might enjoy this book the most.

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Breadcrumbs

"Once Upon a Time"
 

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

 

Storyline - Through her imagination and her best friend Jack who she has lived next door to most her life, Hazel survives the demands of school, the dislike of her peers, and her mother's pleas to grow up. But when Jack is suddenly no longer her friend, ignoring and insulting her, her world begins to fall apart. When Jack disappears, should she believe the reasonable answers given to her and remain in the real world or believe in a magical winter witch who took him to an enchanted world that is more dangerous than what she has read in her books?

Author - Anne Ursu

Publisher - Waldon Pond Press; an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* A creepy woman cuts Hazel's cheek. Hazel throws a pencil case at someone. Parental figures have no idea what is going on. Hazel makes sacrifices to help others even when it might hurt her. She loves her mom and wants to please her. She stands by her best friend even when he has turned his back on her. Hazel doesn't give up even when the journey becomes difficult.

Personal Opinion - Breadcrumbs retells the fairy tale The Snow Queen while mixing real life with fantasy and the struggles of growing up. Being let into Hazel's life, her family struggles, the loss of a friend, and being expected to grow up, was done perfectly and beautifully to reveal the change that overcomes someone when it seems they are leaving a part of themselves behind. Mixing the fairy tale elements to mirror this struggle, made it that much more insightful. The determination of standing by her friend when he was in trouble and facing the difficult journey is a positive one for others to learn to keep going and learn and discover what they should do even when things go wrong. While Hazel wasn't perfect, she tried to do the right thing and do what she thought was she should, even if it meant stop being herself. One thing that was interesting was, in the real world, she turned to fantasy to thrive; but, in the enchanted world, she turned to the real world to strengthen herself.

The ending was a bit confusing. I couldn't tell if she found a boundary between being her imaginative self and living in reality or if one won out over the other. Besides that, there were a few things I personally felt uncomfortable with. Some of the people Hazel meets on her journey are just creepy and she wasn't always respectful of authority figures but it is hard to be respectful when someone wants you to fit into a mold. While this novel is mostly based off The Snow Queen fairy tale, a couple other Hans Christian Anderson tales where also mixed in. This was interesting but almost had too much happening, especially when so much already happens in the main fairy tale. The last thing that made me uncomfortable, and this is purely personal, was the reference to The Golden Compass only because I have an issue with that book.

All and all, this story beautifully wove reality and fantasy together to reveal the struggles of growing up and being yourself as well as helping your friends and making sacrifices.

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Awards - Publishers Weekly Best Book
               School Library Journal Best Book
              Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
              Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
              NPR Backseat Book Club Selection
             

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Many are Called

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms
 

Storyline - After seven long years, the prince his finally marrying his betrothed. All that is left is to go get her. Yet the skies are filled with enemies trying to capture the princess and the prince must out maneuver them. Meanwhile, the palace gets ready for the marriage feast which no one who is invited is coming to and the servants are slacking. The prince chases down his beloved yet things are more complicated than they think. And their enemy is not far away...

Author - Gabrielle Gniewek

Art - Sean Lam

Publisher - Manga Hero

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Some killing but not too gory and not really shown. One guy's chest is always seen. The prince is willing to risk his life for his bride, no matter what, even after she has hurt him. The bride is struggling with guilt from betraying the prince and doesn't feel adequate for his love. Other character struggle with their duties and feeling like they deserve better or just slack on their work.

Personal Opinion - This was a pretty fun, engaging, light read. It can be read in an evening. I think it helps put the parable of the wedding feast in a form that can give readers a face to the characters and situation to the story. The artwork was fun but I'm not sure what I think of the jumping between Jesus telling the parable and the story itself which plays out with sky ships, motor bikes, and swords. The bride was not very well developed. SPOILER The story hints at her running away and hiding with someone bad but doesn't tell why she decided this END SPOILER. At times, the characters would hint to something, a side bit, but it wouldn't be clear in the story so I'm left confused. For a Christian book, I was also surprised at seeing one guy's chest. The whole story went to fast and could have been elaborated on more, maybe even a series to create these various storyline. But the story did have a good message about unconditional love, faithfulness, and honor.

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The First Principle

"If Inalienable Rights Begin with Life Itself,
Will Vivica have the Courage to Defend them,
No Matter What it Takes?"
 

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

 

Storyline - Vivica is an average teenage girl whose mother is a governor of the accepting, reformed world, were population is managed, exclusory views in religion are eradicated, and teenage girls don't have to worry about being pregnant because they are required to terminate. But when Vivica sees a fellow classmate try to hide her pregnancy and, later, discovers she's pregnant herself, she begins to question if she truly wants to follow through with the law and if it is really killing as the father says. She also has to decide if the rebels who follow the old Christian traditions are dangerous and bigots as the government says they are, or if there is more to them than meets the eye. Will Vivica protect her child and discover if the rebels are who they say they are, not what the government claims?

Author - Marissa Shrock

Publisher - Kregel

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Teenage pregnancies happen. There is a shooting and bombing. Christianity is considered narrow minded and exclusory and promotes bigotry. Christians stand up for what they believe in. Vivica asks important questions to determine the truth, doesn't just accept a view point because the government says so.

Personal Opinion - While this novel did a fine job of presenting beliefs and ideas of pregnancy for teenagers and women who already have two children, it didn't display why Christianity and its beliefs are discouraged, bigotry, and exclusivist. Vivica asked good questions and her questioning the government vs. religion which were believable. Something that really secured why Vivica question having an abortion more than just the father didn't want her to was that she was one of three triplets.  Some advice she also received about how God works in answering prayers was right on and beautifully told. But, the negative attitude toward Christians and the Bible was almost too straight forward, bordering on preachy. Something just seemed to be missing in how this information and the governments feelings toward Christians was missing. Still, others might find this novel more enjoyable than me and the author did create a good world where Christian beliefs are regulated, controlled, even changed, and pregnancy and "termination" is the norm if not also required under certain guidelines.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Kregel Blog Tours.

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Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

About - Ever tried to rectify science and religion? Wondered about genesis vs. the Big Bang? How about what was going to happen when the world ends? Or even the question Pope Francis asked, would you baptize an extraterrestrial? Fr. Guy Consolmagono and Fr. Paul Mueller, priests, work for the Vatican Observatory, and have degrees in science, are asked these questions and more which  they now present in this book. To help explain, they write as if they are having a conversation together in various locations (from art galleries to Antarctica). They talk science and religion and how they don't compete with each other even if they don't always seem to agree. Yet, God created both and they both share important truths of our world and Heavenly Father.

Author - Guy Consolmagno, SJ and Paul Mueller, SJ

Publisher - Image Publishing

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Like most Catholics (or Christians for that matter) I have heard the arguments on science vs. religion before, which is why I was interested in this book. I might have wanted a way to show how religion is true and science can prove it when I started this book (which the authors warn against) and learned some interesting things (such as the Vatican has an observatory and astronomers! ;) ). The idea of using conversation style writing and locations was intriguing in the beginning and seemed like it would help explain the science and religion in a common form so it might be more understandable. But, it got awkward pretty quick. It didn't seem to be used as effectively as it could and, on occasion, the authors got on tangents on the location or example they were sharing for a couple of sentences that felt like the discussion was going off topic for no good reason. I struggle with science so that didn't help me and the explanations seemed long winded and over done. To a scientist, everything was probably necessary and it was pretty much understandable but overwhelming. I could only read so much at a time and then needed a break, yet, at the same time, I felt like if I kept reading everything would come together clearer. I did appreciate what they were trying to do. This book I would recommend to someone who understands science more than me, even borrow them the book. But, someone who struggles with science, I would tell them about the book but hesitate in giving it to them.

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Wars of the Realm: Cloak of the Light

"Drew is Caught

in a World of Light -

Just Inches Away from Dark."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Drew and his mother has suffered terrible afflictions all his life. Death almost seems to be just a step behind him. Then, one day, he suffers a terrible accident and goes blind. When miraculously his sight returns, he begins seeing people, or invaders, that no one else seems to see. The invaders seem interested in humans, but why? Drew has to figure that out with his friend Ben, who is missing, all the while trying to not get caught by the invaders or to reveal that he sees them, as well as learn is God is real, or just a myth.

Author - Chuck Black

Publisher - Multnomah Books

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Two deadly car accidents and several snering Invaders are featured through out the novel as well as one kid and a couple girls almost getting attacked.
A school shooting takes place. Drew doesn't believe in God but in interested in a girl who does. Characters try to look out for each other even if it means getting themselves in danger. 

Personal Opinion - I read Chuck Black's Kingdom Series years ago and it was really good. In Cloak of the Light, I like how Black developed his character and gave him a history of trouble and struggle to make him believable. Drew's trials help the reader identify with him and his experiences which showed him be a good person who made mistakes and bad things happen to. The Invaders were well portrayed to in how they influenced people or tried to strike out at them. Yet, I had trouble finding this book as a whole interesting because of how long it took. Drew's high school experience had to completely be depicted even though the catalyst event didn't happen until he was in college, one hundred pages into the book. Lastly, I was a little disappointed on how the issue of not believing in God was handled making Drew's reasons for disbelief make him look like he was stupid (Drew's disbelief wasn't brought up until he was in college either). I didn't feel that it was portrayed well and, if I had given this book to someone who didn't believe in God, they would have been insulted by how their view point was displayed. Cloak of the Light does hold promise, though, because the pace picked up speed halfway through and Drew is a good person who wants to protect others and fights for those who cannot.

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Special Notes - This author previously wrote The Kingdom Series which I recommend.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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Anomaly

"Question. Feel.

Believe."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Thalli is not like the rest of her pod mates. She feels and is curious, traits the Scientist have taken out of others. But when she can on longer hid it, she is take to the scientist. But instead of being annihilated, she is tested. Things begin to be strange as she meets people who are allowed to feel and meets an old man who has strange ideas about a Designer who created everything. As tests continue, she begins to wonder what is real and not, what is true, and what is right.

Author - Krista McGee

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Thalli enjoys  (hangs out with) the company of a couple guys but is learning about God. Thalli lies a couple times. The Scientist lie and try to control others. Berk does what he can help Thalli.

Personal Opinion - The story was good. It had twists and turns that I didn't see coming and had interesting characters. I found the story to go a bit slow at first and was a bit contradictory on a couple of points at one point but that got cleared up with one of the twists in the story. I was concerned at first that it was going to be a lot like other Dystopias that have characters who aren't allowed to feel or think but this one was different. The details were well done so I was able to see most of the locations and the twists were new. I loved how Thalli spoke about music and compared things with it because she was a musician. But I couldn't seem to connect with the story. There were technical aspects that were done that I didn't like. But, I love Krista McGee's other books and this was an interesting read none the less.

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Other Book Reviews for this Author - First Date - Review
                                                             Starring Me - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.

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Frame 232 and Author Interview

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

 

Storyline - When Sheila Baker buried her mother, she did not expect to be left with answers to an historic mystery. But she was. A tape, taken on November 22, 1963, reveals that not only was her mother at the Kennedy Assassination and is the Babushka Lady, but confirms what conspiracy theorists have been saying for years. There was a second shooter. Not knowing what to do with the tape and fearing the government, Sheila contacts a man, Jason Hammond, who has made himself famous for uncovering historic mysteries but is also struggling with ghosts of his own. As they set out to discover who the man was and what was behind it, they must also out run a killer set on their trail to solve one of the biggest mysteries of the century.

Author - Wil Mara

Publisher - Tyndale Publishers

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* The assassination was a bit grizzly in description. A pretty violent, and creepy, man is after them. A hooker is mentioned briefly. The two main character, Sheila and Hammond, won't let fear or the people after them stop them from finding the truth.

Personal Opinion - This novel is extremely factual on the assassination as well as in depth in the mystery and characters. Each character was developed to realism with believable backstories and feelings. Not knowing much of the Kennedy Assassination, I learned a lot more than I knew before. One particular part of the novel was an action scene were there was two or three paragraphs from one person's perspective before jumping to another (the bad guy's) perspective. This was a new technique for me and it made the action that much more exciting. But, this book had at least one pit fall that made it difficult for me which was how detailed the backstories got. Not that it was a bad thing but the story was kept from moving forward until some backstory of a character or the historical events, which would sometimes take several pages. This made it read slowly to me and the mystery was only being touched shortly before the halfway point of the novel. I am hope that, since this was the first book about Jason Hammond and his historic mysteries that the backstories won't be as detailed in the future or, at least, written in a more interesting way. I will probably give the next book a try.

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Author Interview -

I would like to thank Tyndale for providing this interview with Wil Mara and giving some interesting background to this novel.

 



1. What inspired you to write a novel around the assassination of President John F. Kennedy? I have always been fascinated by the assassination, which, obviously, was one of the most pivotal and enigmatic events in American history. And when I heard about the ‘Babushka Lady’---one of the few people in Dealey Plaza that day who remains unidentified---and the possibility that she may have filmed the shooting, an idea came to mind that seemed too good to disregard.

2. How much research did you do for this project? An unbelievable amount. I spoke with assassination experts, read literally hundreds and books and articles, pored over countless photos...you name it. My goal was to write a fictional story around the established facts rather than alter the facts to serve the story. Thus, I had to know pretty much everything. I ended up loading my brain with more data than I really needed...but I didn’t mind.

3. How has your research informed your own theory of what happened during the JFK assassination? My personal theory, prosaic though it may be, is that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. If you want to be convinced, get your hands on a fairly rare book called Lee, which was written by his brother, Robert. Once you understand the mind behind the eyes that looked through that rifle scope, you will be convinced.

4. What role does your Christian faith play in your writing? It is embedded throughout this story, in a fashion both subtle and direct. I was raised Christian and have been a firm believer all my life, so my belief system is threaded into just about everything I do. Anyone who carries even the most fundamental faith will recognize the important elements in this book. The most obvious example belongs to the main character, who recurs throughout the series---he is suffering a deep crisis of faith, and the core of that crisis should be familiar to even the most devout follower. We are human, plain and simple, and as such we experience doubts about the Lord in our lifetime. So it won’t be hard for anyone to connect with him.

5. What lessons do you hope readers will come away with after reading Frame 232?
I can’t interpret the story for anyone but myself, but there are a few themes at work that strike me as particularly valuable. One is that God’s path is always the right one in the end, even if it seems unimaginably rocky at times. Another is that tragedies occur in every life, that these misfortunes usually happen for a reason, and that the reason may not be apparent for some time. A third is that we need to treasure our loved ones for as long as we have them around, because they can disappear in a heartbeat. Also, it’s important to keep getting out of bed and moving forward every day because life is a gift, and God does not favor those who waste their time and talents. If you are blessed with ability and resources (and Jason has plenty of both), you should use them.

6. What do you have planned for your future Jason Hammond books?
Jason will be tackling other high-profile (and, later on, some lesser-known) mysteries as the series progresses. Readers will also get to follow his ongoing struggles as he rebuilds his faith and gradually assembles his ‘new normal.’ Plus, we’ll further explore the lives of those around him (including a budding love interest, who will appear in the second book). It’s also worth noting that not every book in the series will follow a strictly linear chronology. The one I’m writing now, for example(The Nevada Testament) begins about six weeks after Frame 232. The one I’ll write after that, however (Gardner Island), occurs before the events of Frame

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the Tyndale Blogger Network.

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Merlin's Immortals: Fortress of Mist

"The Throne is Redeemed

But the Battle is Just Beginning."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Thomas is Lord of Magnus but now he must keep it. As he goes off to fight the Scots, he most be cautious of Druids haunting him, wanting Thomas to become a member of their group. But he is determined to do things his own way. When his rule to Magnus is threatened with strange events happening all around him, Thomas will have to find a way to battle these strange forces. But does he have enough strength on his own or will he have to find aid from another?

Author - Sigmund Brouwer

Publisher - WaterBrook Press

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Thomas feels he can only depend on himself and his own strength  but begins to see he might need help. He is even trying to figure out who God is and if he can believe in him after only ever seeing religious be greedy and untruthful. Some creepiness from the bad guys with them threatening Thomas, branding and torturing people (this is heard about after it is done so no details), and one guy wanting to marry a girl.

Personal Opinion - I usually like Sigmund Brouwer's books but I couldn't get into this one. Thomas's plans are still interesting and I enjoy reading how he wins a battle using his wit because it is so creative. I also liked how he had a mouse and, eventually, a dog. But, I felt this book was a bit slow and the majority of it had to do with a battle when the ending had to do with something else (sorry for being vague but I don't want to give away spoilers). The chapters didn't seem to flow together well either with one ending with Thomas hold council and the next him walking somewhere. I also don't know anymore about what "Merlin" or "immortal" has to do with this series than the first book. I feel more could have been in this book.

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Other Book Reviews for this Author -
    Merlin's Immortals: The Orphan King, Book 1 - Review
    The Last Temple - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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Full Disclosure

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

 

Storyline - Paul Falcon has been hunting a lady shooter, now dormant, for years, waiting for a break in the case that could lead to her arrest. When Anne Silver, a homicide investigate and the MHI, enters his life and hands him the biggest lead to the case in years, not only is he wrapped up in the new lead but also in discovering more about the enigma of Anne. As Paul and Anne begin to get to know one another, mysteries to her past spring up, causing her to step back from considering a relationship with him, and the lady shoot case gets hot. As things climb with the case, politics, and Anne's pass, it will take strength and trust for Paul and Anne to find a life together.

Author - Dee Henerdson

Publisher - Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers*  Paul desperately wanted to protect Anne from anything he could, even her nightmares, and was willing to make big sacrifices for her. Anne helps others with no thought to herself or her own gain. Some intense cop cases that Anne deals with as the MHI are mentioned briefly. Paul was really pushy once to Anne.

Personal Opinion - I had trouble engaging this book until I was halfway through. In the beginning, I felt there was way to much little information in both the romance and mystery part. An example is when Paul was giving out orders to his team and I would have to read each order to all or most of the people I never got to know and the orders lasted at least a page. And it happened more than once. Both the romance and mystery were kept apart, almost never branching into each other for that first half so the abundance of little information was within both hemispheres. It didn't seem to tie into each other and bring it together as a whole. But, halfway through, Ann's past started taking a role in the book and I became engaged. I started to enjoy the mystery and romance more. The rest of the book developed well after that but I was disappointed in the ending. It had a nice twist but was too simple. I didn't think this book matched up to Dee Henderson's previous books but that wont keep me from recommending the O'Malley Series and the Uncommon Hero Series (this series was published by two different houses at two different times so it may go by a different name also) with a giddy heart.
 
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Links - Learn more about the book and author at the facebook page and webpage. Also, visit her author website.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers.

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Crystal Lies

"A Son's Addiction.
A Mother's Heartbreak.
A Family's Crisis."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Glennis had the perfect life. An attorney husband, a daughter with a full ride through college, a loving son, a house in a nice neighbourhood, and an expensive car. Then her son, Jacob, starts using drugs. As she tries to help him, her marriage falls apart and she is blamed not only for her divorce but accused of enabling her son. As Glennis seeks help and adjusts to her new life in a crummy appartment, she wonders where God is in this, why it is happening, and how she can truly help her son.

Author - Melody Carson

Publisher - WaterBrook Press
Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Glennis's son uses drugs. She fights to help Jacob but has a hard time doing what needs to be done. Jacob's dad yells at him and shakes him once, later threatens to have him arrested. Glennis sticks up for herself and finds a way to heal and continue on.

Personal Opinion - The storyline was good and interesting and the characters seemed true in my opinion but it was they way the story was told that made me not like it very much. The author gave the information straight forward which kept me from fully feeling the events and emotions in the story. It also dwelt a long time on the woman's divorce in the beginning and, when we got to see her interacting with her son, I wish there had been more to it in the end. It did pull at my heart strings during the marital stuff because I know people who have been through those tough divorces or those kind of people around them. I also have an appreciation for the ending. Despite the fact I pray, I still worry and try to control things on my own, like Glennis did, so that really taught me something in the end.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble,

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - Read my other reviews of Melody Carson's books:
                         On the Runway: CIAO Review
                         The Secret of Samantha McGregor: Bad Connection Review

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Legends of Karac Tor: The Book of Names

"A Magic Scroll.

A Cry for Help.

Will Two Teenage Brothers Find

The Courage to Answer the Call?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - While Hadyn Barlow is cleaning out a hated briar batch on his father and three brothers' new hated farm which they moved to after his mother died, four birds swoop out of the sky towards him and his brother, Ewan, leaving behind four scrolls with the message of adventure. As the boys try to figure out where the birds disappeared to, they come across a huge, ancient stone which transports them to another world that has been losing its children to an evil sorceress. And believe it is up to them to stop it. As they journey to find a way home, the boys are attacked by evil beings and enchanted children, called the Nameless, continually fighting for their lives along with their companions. When one of them is taken, they will have to face their biggest fears and overcome the pain of their past to make it out alive.

Author - D. Barkley Briggs

Publisher - Living Ink Press: an imprint of AMG Publishers
Age Group - 15 and up

Content - At least one swear word (su--) with at least one other strong word. The boys are taught to fight not only evil but what holds them back inside, keeping them from doing what needs to be done but also the evil plaguing the land. One boy attacked someone who he felt wasn't a friend and hurt someone he cared about.
Personal Opinion - This book had a good storyline with the best part being it mentions Minnesota. Okay, I'm kidding but it was pretty good. Unfortunatly, I had trouble connecting to side characters and getting completly into the story. The side characters all seemed to be similar in nature and might be one reason why I had trouble connecting. It had some good, exciting moments and some interesting lessons but the book felt long and the Nameless's reasoning was confused on how they came to their conclusions. I had trouble connecting the dots until one character started to fall for it. The brothers are believable characters, their anger, motivation, and feelings.  I think this series has potential and the mysteries left to be uncovered makes me want to try to get the other books in the series.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - Books 2, Corus the Champion, and 3, The Song of Unmaking,  are now available.

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Elves of Zeoch: The Last Two

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Camilla and Ebeny have grown up with their uncle, believing that their father and their mother are long dead. But one day they are forced to flee their home when a creature attacks them. They go to Zeoch, another world where evil has killed off the elf race and taken over. Soon, they learn that their mother was an elf and meet their father. As they travel to The Secret Valley of the Elves, they encounter enemies, make friends, and learn the magic that has been inside them so long. But will they be able to overcome the evil coming to destroy them and what they have just gained?

Author - Kaden Hurley

Publisher - Ambient Press: an imprint of Destiny Image

Age Group - 11 and up

Content - Ebeny disobeyed once but the girls usually tried to do the right things and stood up for and protected their friends and family.

Personal Opinion - The story had a good promise but I had trouble getting into it. The creatures were very creative and fun, quite original concepts and ideas. The descriptions and details were also very vivid. But I felt things came too easily for the characters when they were faced with adversity. The characters also used phrases and talked in a way that wasn't very believable to me. With that said, I think this author did an exceptional job for being the age of 9 when she started and age 11 when published. I believe this author has lots of potential as she continues to write and hone her skill.

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

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Sages of Darkness: HowlSage

"I Saw Things, Things of Pure Evil."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Taylor defends the world from demons, like his father before him. It is a dangerous job, to be sure, even for someone who isn't 14 years old. But things get hairy when a HowlSage (kinda like a werewolf) lives past its first day. Taylor and his friend, Ike, and McGarret, his mentor, is having trouble finding out why that is, what is going on with their technology, and what happens if a HowlSage reaches maturity, which hasn't happened in so long it makes it hard to find out. Soon Taylor has to find a way to destroy the demon and find God in the process, or potentially have something worse happen that facing a mature HowlSage.

Author - Brock Eastman

Publisher - Destiny Image

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - Taylor is frustrated with God but learns how to trust and rely on Him again. The demons prepare for a ritual to call forth another demon (I found this a little creepy).

Personal Opinion - This was an interesting read but I think there was too much telling. I felt apart from the book through most of the beginning but it got better in certain parts towards the end. I thought the mixing of old legends, like using garlic or salt against a vampire and others legendary creatures, with the demon aspect was creative. Also, I found the new names for the demons creatures (HowlSage for werewolf) was very cool. I thought the book had good potential in story and characters but the straight-out telling that the story did to inform me, which was most of the beginning, kept me from really entering the story. I think it could have been better but I do want to see where the series goes so I will be reading the rest of the books.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Destiny Image.

Links - Learn more about this book and the author at: http://www.brockeastman.com/main/

Special Notes - Book 2, BlizzardSage, comes out next year. I don't know exact date.

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