"11-11-11" by John Rachel

                                   

Noah is just turning 23, and growing up in Pulnick, Missouri. A town that was becoming more run down, drug infested, and crime ridden by the day. Noah just wants to leave.

Rumor has it the end of the world is coming. On November 11, 2011, or “11-11-11,” the world as we know it is about to end. So say the billboards and speech givers. Noah doesn’t exactly believe in all this either. He’s busy trying to find out exactly what his sister is doing, and who she’s involved with since running off from home.

Noah had friends, but like his job at the local Walmart, disappeared after he was hit by a truck on his motorcycle. Noah plans to leave, but things seem to keep slowing him down.

In the months leading up to that date, Noah’s life is a strange mix of boring parties, misadventures, and random people coming and going in his life. Nobody you’d really want to know too much about. A new job and a new set of odd friends enters his life. He continues to see billboards about “11-11-11.”

Do we know what “11-11-11” is about? We are kept guessing as to the message here. Eventually we find out what 11-11-11 is going to mean to Noah. The day his whole life changes.

The story line was interesting, but while the activities were well detailed, the people were not. Kind of dragged on in a few places in bizarre ways. I did finish the book, and found it over all an entertaining, albeit a little odd tale.


Thank you John Rachel.

Buy "11-11-11" by John Rachel now on Amazon!

"As She Fades" by Abbi Glines

                                                                                             

"Everything was different now. I was lost. Alone. I didn't know how to find myself. I needed Crawford. Knox worrying about me liking the wrong guy was ridiculous. I loved Crawford and I had my entire life. A pretty smile and incredible eyes weren't going to change that. I wasn't shallow."...


Vale and Crawford met as children. From friendship to a plan of life long commitment. The whole world was before them. Until the night of graduation, when an accident leaves Crawford comatose.

Vale sits day after day, waiting and hoping for Crawford to wake up. She’s sure when he does they’ll just pick up where they left off, and live happily ever after.

Even though she makes a new friend, Slate, she keeps him at a distance. There is no one but Crawford in her heart. She has the support of her close family, but it’s not enough. College will have to wait. Life will be on hold until Crawford wakes up.

After a little convincing Vale sees she needs to go on with her life. Crawford would want her to wouldn’t he? Her feelings are a mass of confusion as Slate drifts in and out of her life. As she starts her new life away from home, in range of Slate. Will the girl she once was become a different woman? "As She Fades" from a teenager into an adult things change, as they do for all of us.

What happens in the aftermath of that accident? A plot twist I never saw coming. So unexpected, so clever!

This young adult novel was heartbreaking, and at the same time Vale is learning that life isn’t always what you plan it to be. I really liked Vale, and her family and friends. Great characters and a fitting end.

Thank you Abbi Glines, Netgalley, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Buy "As She Fades" on sale April 3rd on Amazon: click here!

"In Her Skin" by Kim Savage

"We push the door open and prowl the hall, stealthy, and you are funny, making exaggerated hush signs and tiptoeing. You're corny, and its cute, and you treat me like a dumb younger sister, and I sense that you're leading me into trouble but I am so okay with it, because trouble with you is fun, old fashioned, clean fun, stealing poems and spotting ghosts, and I am charmed."....


This young adult story features a 15 year old girl, Jo Chastain. As a homeless teenager, an opportunity presents itself to assume the identity of a missing girl, Vivienne Weir. A wealthy family, the Lovecrafts, were there when 9 year old Vivi disappeared, while her parents dined with the Lovecrafts. Jo finally has the life she wants, or so she thinks.

When the story takes a dark turn, Jo may find herself in danger of knowing the truth. Secrets discovered may not be good for Jo. She will have to decide if staying is the best option, or life back on the streets of Boston might be safer.

What happened to the real Vivienne? Does the Lovecraft family have the truth about that night? A truth they wouldn’t want uncovered? Is Vivi dead? Has Jo got herself in over her head? Can she convince Temple, Vivi’s childhood friend, that she’s really Vivi? Or will Temple’s doubting uncover Jo’s pretend life. A visitor from Jo’s past may also affect her ability to remain “Vivi.”

The story centered a little much on what Temple was to her as a friend. Temple’s antics kind of felt a little to unoriginal, or we’ve seen that behavior in one too many story lines. Rich teenager, sneaking out, theft, etc.

Full of suspense otherwise, and a clever broken girl. Jo needs a new life. She may have picked the wrong one. Overall a good read. Great ending!

Thank you Kim Savage, Netgalley, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

On sale April 17th at Amazon: click here!

"Birthday Girl" by Matthew Iden

"Sister was descending the stairs backward so she could drag a large bundle, something long, wrapped in a blanket, and heavy enough that she was having trouble lifting it.".....


Elliot Nash is homeless. His former life just a memory. His daughter was murdered 8 years ago. Her death ended his entire life, his marriage, and his job as a criminal psychologist.

Amy asks for Elliot’s help in finding her daughter. Kidnapped a year ago, she can’t accept her child is probably dead. She thinks that Elliot, with their shared grief, and his educational background, can help her find her daughter, Lacey.

As it turns out, there are at least seven children who have disappeared around the time of their birthdays. This may be the clue that will help Elliot and Amy uncover what happened to these girls. Can Elliot find his own redemption with the answers to this mystery?

Are any of the children still alive? Is it too late? The streets of Washington D.C. are dangerous and treacherous for those who may be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Throughout, I just wanted Elliot to find some kind of peace, find a piece of his life again. I hoped for Amy to get her daughter back. It wasn’t a story you could put down, and not keep wondering what happens next.

I’ve previously read this authors books, including all of his detective “Marty Singer,” series. I enjoy Matthew Iden’s work, and this book, “Birthday Girl,” was also an excellent thriller and mystery suspense tale.


Thank you Matthew Iden, Netgalley, and Thomas & Mercer Publishers.

Buy "Birthday Girl" on Amazon March 20th: click here!

"Let Me Lie" by Clare Mackintosh

                                                                                         

"Suicide? Think again. Not suicide. Murder. Someone stole the life I had. Someone murdered my mother. And if they murdered Mum, it followed that dad didn't kill himself either. Both my parents were murdered."....

Anna has had a terrible year. The bright spot in it is her new baby girl. Her parents committed suicide during the past year. Now on the anniversary of her mothers death, a strange card is delivered to Anna. Her nightmare begins again.

What really happened to her parents? There are secrets to be uncovered that will alter Anna’s life forever. Anna enlists the aid of a semi retired police officer, Murray. Murray has his own personal tribulations at the moment, but wants to desperately help Anna find the truth.

Will Anna find the truth about their suicides from the cliffs of Beachy Head? How will the past affect Anna’s present? Was Anna’s fiancé involved, does the neighbor know more than he’s telling? Maybe there are things Anna herself does not clearly remember.

This thriller was a page turner. Unexpected twists. Characters that compel you to the end. Unexpected ending!

Thank you Clare Mackintosh, Netgalley, and
Berkley Publishing Group.

Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh now on Amazon: click here!