I'll Be Yours

The day Andrew Levin arrives at Washington High, Harper O’Malley knows he’ll make the perfect starter boyfriend. The school’s newest band geek is totally in Harper’s league, yet completely out of this late-bloomer’s reach. Between fitting in with a new family, scoring the first chair in band, and rescuing dogs for the local animal shelter, Harper’s never had the opportunity to hone her dating skills. But even though Harper’s love life is far from perfect, she’s got the perfect plan.

Harper knows she’s insane to agree to tutor Ridley Estes, a notorious heartbreaker and the star of her high school’s football team—but in exchange, he’s offered to school her in the game of love. Just when she sees promise with her crush, a football scandal rocks her family, her town, and Ridley’s entire future. Harper suddenly has everything to lose—her family, friends, and even her heart. When the dust of the scandal settles, nothing will be the same. Including the girl who asked the most popular jock to teach her about love.

My thoughts: It's been too long since I last read one of Jenny's books, since I forgot just how likeable her characters are! I loved getting to know Harper, with her insecurities, big heart, and hilarious humor. Sometimes life deviates from our perfect plans, leaving us to either hang on to our own ideas or reach out and grab the incredible curve ball that God threw. I loved the themes of forgiveness and redemption in this story. I can't recommend it enough! It's a sweet YA story that has a lot of depth to it, with Harper still dealing with the circumstances that led to her adoption into the O'Malley family when those insecurities are brought back up through a family tragedy. If you are looking for a good fall read, I recommend this one.

This post contains affiliated links.

The Day the Angels Fell

It was the summer of storms and strays and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident. As he recalls the tumultuous events that launched a surprising journey, Samuel can still hardly believe it all happened.
After his mother's death, twelve-year-old Samuel Chambers would do anything to turn back time. Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Samuel begins his search for the Tree of Life--the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict and forces Samuel to grapple with an unwelcome question: could it be possible that death is a gift?
Haunting and hypnotic, The Day the Angels Fell is a story that explores the difficult questions of life in a voice that is fresh, friendly, and unafraid. With this powerful debut, Shawn Smucker has carved out a spot for himself in the tradition of authors Madeleine L'Engle and Lois Lowry.

My thoughts: This is the first book I have picked up by Shawn, so I wasn't sure what to expect. And, a fictional book that deals with death? Well, I gave it a go, and it was hard to put down. We all struggle with the question of death at some point in our lives, and this book does a wonderful job of addressing some questions. It's wonderful and hard to put down! I look forward to reading more books by this talented author.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Right Next to Me

The only thing Sydney doesn’t love about her new college life is the fact that her amazing boyfriend, Gavin, is all the way across the country at Yale. When she returns home for break, Sydney quickly discovers there’s more to her relationship with her best friend, James, than she thought. Now she’s faced with an impossible choice: her perfect boyfriend or the perfectly flawed boy who has loved her all along.

My thoughts: I didn't expect to like this book near as much as I did! It's a sweet story of one girl who has gone through most of high school with her boyfriend and best friend, only to graduate and have things change as they go off to college. I loved how the story would go back and forth between the present and the past, showing how likeable both Gavin and James are. I would of liked a bit more to the ending, but overall I found this story totally adorable!
I received a copy on this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Girl Who Could See

Click here to purchase.

About the Book

Book title: The Girl Who could See

 

Author: Kara Swanson

 

Release date: June 1, 2017

 

Genre: Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult

 

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after al—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

My thoughts: First off, the cover is just gorgeous! That alone had me wanting to pick up the book as soon as possible, since the silhouette framing the city is just beautiful. Thankfully, the story lives up to the gorgeous art! It's a wonderful story of impossible love, other worlds, and suspense. This is one for the beach bag! I look forward to reading more by this talented young author.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

As the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself. At seventeen, she independently published her debut fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story is included in Kathy Ide’s 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine, and she received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer award in 2015.

Guest Post from Kara Swanson

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up? I did. And I think most of us probably understood what it was like to use our childhood imaginations to create friends and take us places.

The Girl Who Could See follows Fern Johnson, a young woman who’s imaginary friend, Tristan, first appeared in her life when she was eight years old—and has never left. Now nineteen, Fern still sees Tristan, only he is no longer her friend. Now he is her curse. The source of her insanity. The reason Fern cannot keep a job and has been passed from one psychologist to another. The reason she is one step away from a psych ward. However, Tristan disagrees. He says that he’s not a figment of Fern’s imagination and is determined to prove it. But, if his existence is real, it has dangerous implications not only for Fern, but for her world. Because the creature that decimated Tristan’s planet is coming for Earth—and only the girl everyone says is crazy can stop it.

I wrote the novella as a way to explore the idea of what would happen if someone had an imaginary friend who never left. What would the psychological and daily implications be? And what if that imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary? The story that grew from those sparks of ideas became an adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did. 🙂



To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

The Whole Thing Together

A beautifully written novel about love, class differences, and betrayal playing out over the course of a fractured American family’s Long Island summer from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares, author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.

“A gorgeously written novel on love, loss and family.” —NICOLA YOON, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything

Summer for Sasha and Ray means the sprawling old house on Long Island. Since they were children, they’ve shared almost everything—reading the same books, running down the same sandy footpaths to the beach, eating peaches from the same market, laughing around the same sun-soaked dining table. Even sleeping in the same bed, on the very same worn cotton sheets. But they’ve never met.

Sasha’s dad was once married to Ray’s mom, and together they had three daughters: Emma, the perfectionist; Mattie, the beauty; and Quinn, the favorite. But the marriage crumbled and the bitterness lingered. Now there are two new families—and neither one will give up the beach house that holds the memories, happy and sad, of summers past.

The choices we make come back to haunt us; the effect on our destinies ripples out of our control . . . or does it? This summer, the lives of Sasha, Ray, and their siblings intersect in ways none of them ever dreamed, in a novel about family relationships, keeping secrets, and most of all, love.

My thoughts: This one has an interesting premise, two young people who were step siblings, but are now just tied together by their half siblings and a vacation home. I like that there are a lot of characters in the story and that they all have their own journeys going. Fans of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will enjoy that aspect.
I didn't care for some of the language and the typical teenage stuff, but otherwise it is an interesting story. Not her best, but still interesting.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Love and Honor review and giveaway!

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

 



Book: For Love & Honor

Author: Jody Helund

 

Genre: Young Adult Historical

 

Release Date: March 7, 2017



Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?



Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?



As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

My thoughts: I loved this book! I have just read the first book in the series, which was quite enjoyable (and, I will be reading the middle book here soon, since I know it will be good), but the nice thing about these books is that they do work well as stand alone stories. I enjoyed the taste of history, since Jody does a wonderful job of bringing the time period (and her characters) to life. This very well may be my favorite out of the series, since I really enjoyed Sabine and her spunk.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five teen-aged children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

[Insert Chosen Guest Post Here] 

 

Blog Stops

May 2: Lighthouse Academy

May 2: Inklings and Notions

May 2: Bibliophile Reviews

May 3: God’s Little Bookworm

May 3: Ashley’s Bookshelf

May 3: Blogging With Carol

May 4: Faithfully Bookish

May 4: Smiling Book Reviews

May 4: A Greater Yes

May 5: The Fizzy Pop Collection

May 5: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

May 5: Just the Write Escape

May 6: The Scribbler

May 6: Moments Dipped in Ink

May 6: Zerina Blossom’s Books

May 7: cherylbbookblog

May 7: Back Porch Reads

May 7: Jeanette’s Thoughts

May 8: The Artist Librarian

May 8: A Baker’s Perspective

May 8: Book by Book

May 9: A Path of Joy

May 9: Cafinated Reads

May 9: I Hope You Dance

May 10: Kristin’s Book Reviews

May 10: Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot

May 10: Neverending Stories

May 11: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

May 11: Radiant Light

May 11: Karen Sue Hadley

May 12: Pause for Tales

May 12: Just Commonly

May 12: Have A Wonderful Day

May 13: Bigreadersite

May 13: Daysong Reflections

May 13: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

May 14: Book Bites, Bee Sting, & Butterfly Kisses

May 14: The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate

May 14: God1meover

May 15: thewitsabout

May 15: Faithful Acres Body Soul Spirit

May 15: Baker Kella

May 15: Remembrancy

Giveaway

[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away all three books in the Noble Knights Series!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

The Lost Girl of Astor Street

When her best friend vanishes without so much as a good-bye, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail takes on the role of amateur sleuth in an attempt to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. Given that Piper’s tendency has always been to butt heads with high-society’s expectations of her, it’s no surprise that she doesn’t give a second thought to searching for answers to Lydia’s abduction from their privileged neighborhood.

As Piper discovers that those answers might stem from the corruption strangling 1924 Chicago—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life of privilege for the sake of the truth.

Perfect for fans of Libba Bray and Anna Godbersen, Stephanie Morrill’s atmospheric, jazz-age mystery will take readers from the glitzy homes of the elite to the dark underbelly of 1920s Chicago.

“Downton Abbey in downtown Chicago—a must read!” —Allison Rushby, author of The Heiresses

My thoughts: In a lot of ways, this book was not at all what I expected! The story drew me in right away, and I love that there is so much going on with the mystery! I love how Piper develops as a character, as she is thrown out of her comfort zone and left without her best friend. She's a delightful heroine who is strong and feminine at the same time.
I'm hopeful that this one will turn into a series.;)
I received this title through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Unraveling

What happens when happily ever after starts to unravel?

Eliyana Ember doesn’t believe in true love. Not anymore. After capturing the Void and saving the Second Reflection, El only trusts what’s right in front of her. The tangible. The real. Not some unexplained Kiss of Infinity she once shared with the ghost of a boy she’s trying to forget. She has more important things to worry about—like becoming queen of the Second Reflection, a role she is so not prepared to fill.

With the Verity intertwined with her soul and Joshua finally by her side, El is ready to learn more about her mysterious birth land, the land she now rules. So why does she feel like something—or someone—is missing?

When the thresholds begin to drain and the Callings, those powerful magical gifts, begin to fail, El wonders if her connection with Ky Rhyen may have something to do with it. For light and darkness cannot coexist. She needs answers before the Callings disappear altogether. Can El find a way to sever her connection to Ky and save the Reflections—and keep herself from falling for him in the process?

My thoughts: While I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I felt like this one was a bit of a disappointment. I liked Eliyana in the first story, but I got tired of being in her head with this book. And, it seemed like there wasn't quite as much going on, nor as many surprises as with the first book. I will still read the final book to see what happens, but it will be with the hope that the story will have more going on like the first book did.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my review.

Eleanor

1985. The death of Eleanor's twin sister tears her family apart. Her father blames her mother for the accident. When Eleanor's mother looks at her, she sees only the daughter she lost. Their wounded family crumbles under the weight of their shared grief.

1993. Eleanor is fourteen years old when it happens for the first time... when she walks through an ordinary door at school and finds herself in another world. It happens again and again, but it's only a curiosity until that day at the cliffs. The day when Eleanor dives... and something rips her out of time itself.

And on the other side, someone is waiting for her.


My thoughts: This is an interesting story about grief and depression! While it is labeled as a YA title, some of the topics are pretty heavy and perhaps geared towards a more mature audience.
I like how this book starts out telling the story of two young women, one who battles with depression and feels the ocean calling to her, and the other (a couple of generations later) who loses her twin sister. Some of the trips down the rabbit hole were hard to wrap my mind around, but it all comes together in the end! This is an interesting book, and I look forward to reading more by Jason Gurley!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Dating Never Works...Until it does: 100 lessons from 1,000 dates

Dating expert Zack Oates has experienced it all in this comical guide that will keep you happy and laughing.

Navigate through the complexities of friend zones, first dates, relationships, and breaking up all to reach the goal of love. Oates delivers practice yet lighthearted advice to assist with this lifetime adventure.

Perfect for audiences in dating situations of all kinds, these encouraging steps will help you find your final one and only.

My thoughts: Even though I am past the dating stage, and am happily married, I thought this book was a lot of fun! It is lighthearted, but also has some surprising depths to it. It would of been handy to have this book back before I got married, since it is interesting to see things from a guys perspective.
I also love the ideas for dates in the back, since there are some fun ideas for an "old married couple".;)
This is a great book to read if you are in the dating scene or have children who are in the dating scene!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

It Started With Goodbye

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she’s stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF’s gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client). When Tatum discovers she’s not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela-slash-fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.

A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, Christina June’s IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules.

My thoughts: I loved this story! I've mentioned before that I really enjoy fairy tales and reading retold fairy tales. It Started With Goodbye is my very favorite kind of retelling, since it was a Cinderella story while being totally original too. I loved the characters and that Tatum isn't the only one we connect with. I highly recommend this one, since it was delightful and surprisingly deep. It also is clean, which can be hard to find in a YA title.
I look forward to reading more by Christina!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

A Shadow Bright and Burning

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?

My thoughts: I wasn't sure what I would think of this book, since I have read mixed reviews on it. I know that some others thought that the book didn't live up to it's potential, but those other reviewers have read a lot of books set in old England. I haven't. I thought that this book was interesting and feel like the next book will truly cement how I feel about the series. I feel like this one was a good start!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Dear Jane

The plan was to serve a mission, marry her boyfriend, and live happily ever after. But all of that changed when Quinn got a Dear Jane email. Now she's stuck at home with no boyfriend, no job, no major, and absolutely no social life. Will Quinn ever find the path that leads to her eternal happiness?

My thoughts: While I am not LDS, and this book is very much geared toward that culture with it being about a young woman on her mission who gets a "Dear Jane" letter, I still enjoyed the story immensely. The author does a wonderful job of engaging the reader in this story about a young woman trying to live out her faith and dealing with what happens when life doesn't follow the perfect plan that we think it should. She does a great job of dealing with sensitive subjects like suicide and divorce. I would recommend this book for older teens and young adults on up.
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Accidentally Me

WANTED: Pretend stalker. No experience required. Tall, dark, and quirky preferred. Sabrina is desperate to go to her dream college, but her parents want her to stay close to home. If she wants to maintain her perfect child image, Sabrina must break rules that even her rebel sister keeps . . .

My thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this book. It started out cute, but I didn't care for her "stalker", so it made it a little harder for me to get into that side of the story. That said, I still had a hard time putting it down (I finished it in one evening, staying up late to do so;)) and adored the main character. Sabrina is fun and quirky as she learns to make her own mistakes.
If you are looking for a light hearted read with some surprising depth, then I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Cedar fort in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond the Rising Tide

Kai met Avery only once--in the moment he died saving her life. Now when he's not using his new healing powers to help people, he watches helplessly as Avery's life is unraveled by his death. To help her, he risks everything by breaking the rules, dangerously blurring the barriers between life and death.


My thoughts: When I received this book, I wasn't sure what to make of it. The premise sounded interesting, but it would take a special author to pull something like that off. Well, Sarah Beard is a special author and did a great job of telling the story of Kai, a young man who felt rejected by the world until he gave his life saving another, and Avery, the girl who can't get past his sacrifice in order to truly live. When Kai can no longer take seeing her pain from the other side, he breaks all the rules in order to help her discover that life is worth living.
I love the characters in this one! Their sorrows and joys are easy to relate to. I enjoyed the story immensely and highly recommend it for an interesting summer read.
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

The Gifting Series

The Gifting
"If science is right, then I am crazy. And crazy is dangerous."

In a world where nothing supernatural exists, Tess Eckhart is positive she’s going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her family is too. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to a nationally-renowned facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit in at her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luka Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she’s unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches start, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something—that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she’s wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness too terrifying to fathom?

The Awakening
"I can't go home. It's not safe. Nowhere is."

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city.

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose–to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe–a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light.

Is Tess Eckhart the One they’ve been waiting for? The One with the power to save them all?

The Gathering
"Darkness is a tricky thing. Especially when it cloaks itself in light."

Luka isn’t dead. He’s not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she’s sure of one thing: If they don’t rescue him soon, Luka won’t be Luka anymore.

If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They’re not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they’re preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl who never asked for any of this.

K.E. Ganshert’s final installment in The Gifting Series brings readers on an action-packed journey through loss, sacrifice, betrayal, and the impossible choice between what we want most and what we know is right.

My thoughts: Over all, I loved this series! The characters are easy to relate to and I like that each book adds plenty to the story, rather than growing stagnant like some can do. I would of liked to see more development and explanation for the gifted side of things, since the term Believers is mentioned but there isn't an explanation in what they are believing in or that there is even much of another side in the war they are in. The last book needed a few more chapters to explain, in my opinion.;) This series is still an excellent read that it is hard to put down! The writing style is excellent and engaging.

The Golden Braid

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

My thoughts: It's no secret that I enjoy a good re-telling of fairy tales, so I was thrilled to have the chance to read The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson. Taking the old story of Rapunzel and making it her own, Melanie does a wonderful job of bringing to life the Medieval ages, when knights and fair maidens, minstrels and kings were at their height. I like how she brings the characters to life, weaving together an unforgettable story of faith and bravery. An excellent tale to pick up as the weather turns colder!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest

A Boy Named Mu, an African Journey, and You

Mu, a ten-year-old orphan, has lived his entire life in the heart of Africa. For as long as he can remember he has served in the household of a great-uncle where he is unloved and ignored. In his drudgery-filled life, Mu has little hope of happiness, and little hope that anything will ever change.

But one day, everything does change. On his way to draw water one morning, Mu is astonished when a chameleon greets him by name and announces that they will embark on a quest together. And what a quest it turns out to be! Mu faces danger and finds unexpected allies as they journey through a fascinating and ever-changing landscape.

A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest blends magical realism with a compelling story. The exciting story line combines an orphan’s journey to find a home with the plight of child soldiers and the dangers of the Ebola virus and, along the way, highlights universal themes of integrity, loyalty, faith, and love. Written by long-time medical missionary J. A. Myrhe, the artful story is laced with subtle gospel themes and handles cross-cultural issues with grace and sensitivity. Kids will encounter good and evil and learn the truth about hope, happiness, and what it means to be human in this page-turning first book in a new series.

My thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I am not sure what I was expecting, but I was thrilled to discover this is a neat little story for young people that does a wonderful job of combining faith and fiction. Told through the eyes of a young orphan, I found this to be an interesting and engaging coming of age story that is imaginative and well written. While not particularly long, it held my attention through to the end (something that can be hard for me when it comes to books written at a middle school level). I thought the pacing was just right and the characters are well portrayed. I highly recommend this story!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

War for the Waking World

Would you be willing to fight for your dreams?

Fifteen-year-old Archer Keaton has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a Dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission: to protect the waking world from the Nightmare Lord who dwells beyond the Slumber Gate. But as Archer’s dreams become more dangerous and threatening, so too does his waking life.

In this fast-paced conclusion to the exciting fantasy trilogy, the dream world and the waking world bleed into each other when a rift is formed between the two. People in the real world suddenly find their waking lives resemble their wildest dreams. Now it’s up to Archer and his fellow Dreamtreaders to race to reverse the rift before too much damage is done and to battle Archer’s ex-best friend, Kara, who sits on the throne of the Nightmare Lord. Kara is building an army of her own. Will Archer be strong enough to stand against her?

My thoughts: While I somehow missed the first book, I did read the second one before picking this up. While it is a trilogy, it is written in such a way that it is easier than some to jump into the middle, since Wayne does a wonderful job of setting up this fantasy style series. I love how the story comes together in this book, with quite a few unexpected turns that will leave the reader sad to finish the trilogy. The good news is, I have read several of the author's other series, and they are every bit as good. So, if you find that you enjoyed this series immensely, I highly recommend that you check out Wayne's other books.
I love that there are allegories in his tales.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Liam Darcy, I Loathe You

Lizzie, Nila, Alice, Cate, Vivian, and Fiona- six girls about to begin a writing assignment that changes everything. From cute crushes to dances and dresses, they're recording it all, and so is their teacher. This modern makeover of Jane Austen's beloved novels follows your favorite stories in a high school setting. Perfect for new fans and devoted Austenites alike!

My thoughts: What a fun idea to have a re-telling of Jane Austen's stories! I love the idea of having a lot of the characters all in one story. And, in high school to boot.;) Heidi Jo Doxey does a fabulous job of bringing to life some of the best characters ever written and presenting them in a fun way for new readers. I had fun trying to figure out who was who (some of the characters are easier to figure out than others!), though if you aren't familiar with Jane Austen's books, then there is a "cheat sheet" in the back to encourage readers to read the actual stories and find out more about the characters.
The only downside is that there is a little bit of mild language in the story. It is minor though, and doesn't take away from the story.
I look forward to reading more of the Jane Journals!
I received this book from Cedar fort in exchange for my honest review.