Shatter

When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem Jefferson becomes convinced the death was no accident—it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far is one clue. She knows Carrie hired a gang member to protect orchard workers. Problem is, Salem doesn't know who.

To find out, Salem pursues the gang-bangers who rule her town, especially classmate Cordero. As her distrust of Cordero heats up, so do the number of suspects in Carrie's death. Teachers and school officers are orchard owners. They have every reason to stop farm workers from demanding higher wages. With Carrie's killers still out there, Salem's not sure who she can trust. Meanwhile, the people who live on orchards and the people who pick them are drawing lines in the sand.

The only way for Salem to learn the truth is to slip behind those enemy lines.

The only way to survive is to find a way back out.

Shatter is the grand prize winner of the LDStorymakers First Chapter Contest that author Jolene Perry calls "a stunning debut that’ll keep you turning pages ’til the end."

My thoughts: This book was a little bit confusing at first, since it jumps around a lot to catch the reader up to speed on what happened leading up to Carrie's death. After the first few chapters though, things do start to come together so that the reader has a clear picture of what makes Salem think that her sister's death wasn't an accident.
While I didn't really click with Salem, I did think this was an excellent story, since it deals with social issues like strikes, fair wages, and gangs. The mystery side of the story was quite suspenseful too! This is an excellent debut novel with a lot going for it. I look forward to reading more by Nikki!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Top Ten 2017 Debuts I'm Excited For

I missed last week, with all the holiday get togethers and my husband being off work between holidays, along with a bathroom remodel gone awry.;) I thought I would take a break from the busyness of life to try and come up with 10 debut authors who have me excited this year. This was actually a harder list for me to come up with, since I don't have quite as much time to read as I once did, so I like to stick with authors who I know I like. But, I shall try to come up with ten.

1. The Illusive Miss Ellison

This one is regency and has a gorgeous cover, so it's one I will be looking for!

2. The Thing With Feathers

Having been homeschooled, I can relate somewhat to this book. It looks like it has potential to be amazing!

3. Freedom's Ring

This one looks exceptional! I love that it will be split between 2015 and 1770.

4. In 27 Days

This one looks like it has the potential to be incredibly moving, since it is about a girl who makes a deal with death to go back in time to save a boy from school who committed suicide.

5. Ascension of Larks


6. You Don't Know My Name

Secret agents with falling in love with the boy next door? Yes, please!

7. American Street

A young woman coming to America from Haiti and the cost of the American dream? This one sounds amazing!

8. Daughter of the Pirate King


9. The Color Project


10. Wicked Like a Wildfire


Extra:
11. A Psalm for Lost Girls


12. Gilded Cage


13. Toward A Secret Sky

Take Ten

Top ten debut authors of 2016 that I am most looking forward to.
1. These Vicious Masks
\
Jane Austen meets X-men? Yes, please!:)

2. Bookishly Ever After
I love the title!

3. Even if the Sky Falls

This one looks fun.

4. Close to you

I actually have an ARC of this on my Kindle, which thrills me!

5. The Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder


6. Arrows


7. The Loose Ends List


8. Annabel Lee


9. Counted With the Stars


10. Stone Field


11. (bonus!) The Tethered World


I couldn't just limit myself to 10.;) What are your top debut novels in the coming year?

Homecoming

Kerana is being sent to Earth to begin her duty as an Eldurian. Hers are a perfect people, without flaw and without sin, never experiencing the fall of man. Created by God to shepherd His people on Earth, they remain in the shadows, unnoticed. Kerana looks human, speaks like them, and has been taught to act like them. Above all her mission is to serve the humans.

Arriving on Earth, Kerana meets Eli at school. He is an ordinary human, with a father suffering from alcoholism, and a past that threatens to ruin his life. A star scholarship lacrosse player, Eli has to forget his true passion and live in a shell that doesn’t let anyone in. Until he meets Kerana. They find themselves intertwined in a connection that neither can quite explain. When this connection puts the two of them in danger, they find comfort and protection from each other. When Eli discovers that there is more to Kerana than just her stunning looks and grace, the Eldurians and their home planet of Eden may not remain a secret for very long.

My thoughts: I never know what to expect from new authors. Sometimes it is a lot of hype, only to disappoint, while other times the quality of the story and characters blows me away. This book falls into the latter category! From the get go, it pulled me in, as the reader is introduced to the Eldurians, a race that lives in Eden and serves as guardians to the humans. When Kerana is sent to earth for her time as a guardian, things change for all of Eden.
I like the concept of another race, and I think that Kate did a fabulous job of making them unique and explaining their differences from humans. I like the little peaks we get into their lives and how they interact with humans. This is a fun, sweet story that is great for a variety of ages, since it is nice and clean. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy! I appreciate that it leaves off where you wonder what happens next, but this part of the story wraps up nicely.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.