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Kids'n'books: I read this book for a book report in school
Soun...: I read this book for a book report in school Sounder by William H. Armstrong written by Lucas Lawrence Plot: An African-American bo...

Paranormal Wastelands: Paranormal Wastelands Presents a Kismet Production...

Paranormal Wastelands: Paranormal Wastelands Presents a Kismet Production...: YAY! The time has come for author of the best-selling Fade series, Lisa McMann, to unleash her new book! We here at Paranormal Wastelan...

received this book from LibraryThing
for review.

Product Description

The closer you get to discovering why Amanda left, the more you realize that nothing about her is what it seems. . . .
Hal, Callie, and Nia are more determined than ever to figure out who Amanda really is, especially after the vice principal was attacked and they spotted a note from Amanda in his car. Clues are pouring in to www.theamandaproject.com, but some of them lead to more questions than answers. When the three friends find a locked, carved box they're sure it holds the key to Amanda's secrets. If only they could get it open! As they begin to unravel the tangled web of Amanda's life, Hal discovers a strange list with their names on it, and he suspects it means any one of them could be the next target. One thing's for sure: In the search for Amanda, no one can be trusted.

Review:
I had not read book 1 before reading this book==DON'T make that mistake. Get the first book or you'll be lost.   Hal, Callie and Nia are a wonderful trio of friends trying to find the whereabouts of Amanda.  I'm not sure Amanda can be called a 'friend'.  No one really seems to know much about her at all.   I look forward to the next book in the series ( I understand there are 8). This book is a jigsaw puzzle aching to be put together.   I have my own suspicions about who Amanda really is.....  don't forget to check out the website that accompanies the book.  I enjoyed reading this book, but I have to say,  I think that "The 39 Clues" series did the book/interactive website idea much better.

Haint Misbehavin
by Maureen Hardegree

received this book for review from NetGalley.

Product Summary:

Product Description
The start of a fun middle-grade series, The Ghost Handlers, follows Heather Tildy, an Atlanta teen with a troublesome habit of attracting ghosts. Middle-child Heather has enough to worry about with sisters, boys and school. Now that a trouble-making girl from the 1800's is poking her nose in Heather's business, her life has taken a supernatural turn for the worse! Before her life can get better, she has to figure out how to help the ghost move on. Debut author Hardegree is a veteran short-story author for the well-known MOSSY CREEK HOMETOWN series. She plans multiple titles in this warm and funny YA series.

REVIEW:
I thought this was a fun book.  Heather Tildy is haunted by a young ghost named Amy.  Apparently Heather has inherited the ghost whisperer gene from her crazy Aunt Geneva.   I'm glad this is the first of a series, I look forward to hearing more about the crazy aunt.   The characters are fun and the older sister, middle sister rivalry between Audrey (the rotten older sister) and Heather is almost comical.   This book will appeal to girls, but I don't see boys reading this story.  

(from Goodreads)
Christy McCauley has returned to West Virginia at last, but her homecoming quickly turns into a surreal nightmare. In the deep hollows and woods of rural Augusta County, something unspeakable is slaughtering people in the dark of night. Authorities don't know if its human or animal, or how to stop it. Christy and her friends only know they must hunt it and destroy it, before it kills again.


MY REVIEW: ******contains spoilers********
I must admit, I am not a huge fan of horror stories. This book sounded interesting therefore I thought I would try it. I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. Some of the more grisly descriptions of ripped up body parts had me closing my eyes and shuddering, however, overall, a great story. I loved the way the author told part of the story from the viewpoint of the monster. I've seen this in other books but not done as well as here. A nice change in a horror story, especially since ***spoiler**** the monster is eventually aware of his previous life.
The action in this book begins immediately with the dead rising from the earth. This would be a great Sci Fi channel movie!! The one thing I didn't care for was the constant introduction of new characters. It can be somewhat confusing keeping all the characters straight. I began to think of them as "red shirt characters" Remember the old Star Trek TV show? You always knew the guys in red shirts were going to meet their doom before the end of the show. They are a necessary part of any story, the expendable people.


Overall, this is not my usual genre of book but I'm glad I read it.


Monster Story can be found on Amazon.com as well as Smashwords

book received from the author for review

Product Description Anya Michaels is having the time of her life. She has the man of her dreams by her side. She has graduated at the top of her class. She has the job others were lining up for. Between late night drinks at her favourite bar and fancy dinners at the most expensive restaurants, she has a string of adoring friends. Everything changes when she hears the dreaded words, "You are sick." Being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, her world starts to fall apart, one piece at a time. Now dumped, her four year relationship is nothing but a memory filled with pictures, thoughts and a very broken heart. Her job becomes an even further challenge as she tries to hide her condition. Her friends suddenly have more important things to do, what is a party without a party girl? Perfect could not crumble any faster. Soon, caught between situations, people and pieces of life that she never dreamed of planning for herself, Anya begins to wonder if her brain condition is all that bad. As she absorbs the changes in her life and realization sets in, she begins to wonder if she is the only one saying: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out
 MY REVIEW
This book is a personal purging of fears, wishes and loneliness. Anya Michaels has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. She copes by writing letters to her long absent father. The letters/diary consists of her insights into life.
Pandora Poikolos is the voice of Anya. She introduces to us a woman who captivates and enchants us with her insights into human nature. Imagine being diagnosed with a rare disorder. What becomes important in your life? What becomes unnecessary? Anya's journey is full of pain and wonder. I was laughing and crying along with her.

I recommend this book to others. Especially, but definitely not limited to, those going through life changing journeys.

this book is available for purchase on Amazon.com in paperback or ebook format.

Part one of a trilogy
received from the publisher for review
Roche Harbor Books
published July 2011

Product Description

FAR FROM THE WAR is the story of a girl from Orcas Island, Washington serving as a page in the United States House of Representatives when rogue politicians and military leaders stage a modern day coup d’état. When the coup turns violent, she abandons Washington, D.C. for home. She learns to survive on her own as transportation and financial networks fail, as the war disrupts food and water supplies. The result is a cautionary tale about political extremism and the true cost of war. J. Stephen O’Laughlin, author of forthcoming novel The Squirrel Prophecy, calls FAR FROM THE WAR “Nothing short of brilliant. Fast paced and easy to read.” FAR FROM THE WAR kicks off a trilogy of novels about modern day civil war, a theme that grows more resonant every day as pundits and political leaders begin to talk openly of widespread civil unrest and the possibility of new political violence in America. Despite the broad scope and dark narrative, the story is ultimately about how love and family serve as a refuge when nations and economies crumble.

From the Author

"I didn't originally set out to write a book about civil war. I wanted to write about a family on Orcas Island gradually losing contact with the mainland. After considering several different scenarios I settled on a new civil war as the most compelling way to explain that loss of contact. Even so, I was still worried about whether or not readers would believe it - the idea of a new civil war was just unthinkable back then. But since then we've had politicians and pundits actually start talking about some kind of armed revolt, radicals on both sides of the political spectrum gaining ground. It's not a crazy idea anymore and that's why I thought it was especially important to show readers, in as vivid a way possible, what civil war would mean to real people. So in the end, it's not about the war or who should win the war, it's about how the failure to peacefully resolve political disputes ruins some poor girl's life."

MY REVIEW



   This book should be required reading for all politicians.  Civil War in America.  People fed up with big government.  It's very hard to tell who are the traitors and who are the rebels.  My allegiance flipped so many times during the coarse of the novel.
    The book features a very strong main character.  Esther Casey.  A 17 years old congressional page (Republican). She has lived her entire life in awe of the governmental process.  Upon arrival in Washington DC, she begins to realize all in not as she imagined.  Bitter rivalries exist between the parties of government.  It's nothing like the debate team back home.  Civil War break out and she must find her way back home to Orcas Island, Washington.
    This book is part one of a trilogy.  The first few chapters were somewhat slow as they began by laying the groundwork for the series.  The story draws you in.  The author has an unbelievable ability to make you 'see' in your minds eye the action occurring in the story.   This is easily one of the best books I've read this year.  Not too happy that I have to wait until next July for part 2 of the series.   Interesting that it comes out shortly before the next Presidential election.   Washington DC--stand up and take notice.  We are getting sick of your foolishness. Learn to resolve your issues.  The ideas in this book are not so far fetched.

   In short, an excellent story.  Can't wait for part 2!   5/5 stars

http://www.weeklygeeks.com/2010/05/pabd-post-amazing-book-depression.html

follow the link above for information about  PABD

 Product Description  from Amazon.com
"You owe it to yourself to discover Rowan's fiction if you haven't already had the pleasure." (Jeff Vandermeer, two-time winner of the World Fantasy Award)

When John is sent to stay with his sister in a small fishing village on the North Yorkshire coast, his parents thought that it would give him a chance to get over the tragedy that happened at school.

But when John arrives in Saltcliff, he is threatened by a strange old man who has waited years for him to appear, he is followed by a mysterious black dog, and he learns that he has a part to play in an ancient legend that is older than the village itself.

Can John leave the tragedies of his past behind and find the courage to save the village?

And most important of all, can he stay out of the mist...

ebook by Francis Rowan
Published April 16,2011
category: fiction, YA, Paranormal
received this book for review from the author


 A quick read, sometimes unbelievable, but quite entertaining.  This is a story about healing.  After a tragedy the main character, John, is sent to live with his sister in a small fishing village on the coast.    When he arrives he finds he has a part to play in the towns ancient legend.   I love the ghost story aspect as well as the small town element of this book.  John's voyage of self discovery can be a lesson to us all.

I enjoyed this book.  Would recommend it to others.  This e-book can be purchased on  http://www.amazon.com  or  http://www.smashwords.com

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