H2O the novel by Austin Boyd and Brannon Hollingsworth

Kate Pepper has her life in order: a good job making big bucks to support her extravagant hobbies, a rich boyfriend, and expensive toys. When she slices her hand while making sushi fora fund raiser to make her boyfriend look good, Kate starts to see things when she touches water, causing her life to spin out of control. Suddenly, those things that used to get her up in the morning no longer hold the joy they once did for her. At first, the visions are bizarre and disjointed, but then Kate starts to witness actual scenes that have taken place. Can Kate come to the realization that Someone is trying to get her attention before things pass a point of no return? I found this story hard to get into, since Kate is a powerful heroine who is vulnerable and yet hard to relate too. It took me till about half way through to decide that I liked her and actually get into the story. So, stick with it!:D The writing style is edgy and will keep you guessing till the last page. Disclaimer: I wouldn't recommend this story if you are squeamish though, as Kate ends up in several predicaments that aren't for the faint of heart. All in all though, the book is worth reading if you like stories about God speaking in modern day or enjoy novels that make you think outside of the box.

Swipe

Set in a world sometime in the not so distant future where America and the rest of the world has survived a major war and is dealing with by creating unity through people taking on "the mark". Logan Langly is approaching his 13th birthday, the day that kids go in to take a test and become citizens through receiving the mark. It is also the age he last saw his older sister, Lily, alive. Some kids who go in to get their mark wind up meeting unfortunate accidents. Through losing his sister, Logan has realized just how precious life is, and yet has also become hyper sensitive about his surroundings. His friends are convinced that he is wrapped up in conspiracy theories that have little truth in them, but the new girl is convinced he might be onto something. Together, Logan and Erin start down a path from whence there is no return. This is an excellent debut novel! I thought the story was compelling and unique, once with fun characters (though I did notice that some of the adult characters lacked depth) and plenty of twists in the story. If you are a fan of dystopian fiction, or enjoy a story with unpredictable twists to it, then this is the book for you!

Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock

A masterfully written retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son told through the eyes of the prodigal child.
When Amanda meets Jack, a quirky widower with an adorable set of red hear twins, she figures that her life is complete. Little does she know that their paradise will soon change and that the everything she holds dear will be ripped from her hands. Through it all, she must learn to trust in the Lord and the message He gives her through Scripture.
Raised by their grandparents, who squander the money given to them to raise the girls, Kara and Lizzie grow up feeling like worthless trash. When they find out the truth about who they are and the inheritance that is theirs, the girls have a choice to make. Continue to live in the life their grandparents has taught them or to make something of themselves.
I thought this was beautifully written, though the ending was a bit abrupt. The way the story is written from Kara's perspective keeps you engrossed and on the edge of your seat. This story will tug at your heart strings and make you look more compassionately on those around you who seem not to make the best decisions, since it reminds one that you don't know what a person's walk has been like. Only God can see the heart and change it.
I give this novel a four and a half out of five.

Garden of Madness

When King Nebuchadnezzar goes mad, his family is left to run the kingdom and keep usurpers from the throne.
Tiamut, the King's daughter has waited for seven long years to see her father restored in health and mind. She is the only one in her family who makes an effort to reach out to the King, working to try to bring him back.
When one of the King's advisers is found dead in the garden, Tiamut works to find out the truth. Could the death of her husband be connected to the murder in the garden?
This is an excellent story of light conquering the darkness, a call to come out of Babylon. I love that the author uses the Jewish character, Pedaiah, to remind us that we are all "children of chaos" who have been saved from a life of sin through Christ Jesus. His struggle to not be polluted by the culture he is exiled in is admirable, but he has to learn a lesson that most of us need to: that all are sinners and yet loved by God. If you like reading about Spiritual warfare, this is the book for you. The story is a rich historical novel about the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and his Hanging Gardens.

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Brad and Darlene Henderson are wanting a slower pace for their family, moving them from the big city of Houston to the small town of Round Top, Texas so they can restore the house that Darlene's grandparents owned. It doesn't hurt that they will be getting their oldest away from the negative influences at school.
The change of pace winds up being tough on their middle child, Grace, who puts up a front so the world will keep thinking she is the perfect daughter when she really has some horrible addictions. When she makes an unusual friend, her family realizes that they are just as guilty as anyone else at judging a book by its cover.
I couldn't put this book down! This novel is a bit unpredictable (which I consider to be a good thing!), since there is a lot going on with this family. I like that everything comes to a conclusion at the end, without making it feel trite. The story has several themes, one of the most prevalent being the need to have a person relationship with God so you have someone to lean on when the hard times come, because come they will.

Crater by Homer Hickam

Imagine a colony on the moon where cats are a legend, the sound of rain on a roof a mystery, and all the food originally made in a lab.
Welcome to Moontown, a colony pioneered on the moon to processes Helium 3 for war torn Earth to survive.
Crater Trueblood is an orphan boy who is happy-go-lucky and doesn't aspire to do anything greater than work in the mines, as his friend, Petro, does. But, when the two save the day at the mine, Crater is introduced to the Colonel (who runs the mine) and is sent on a mission to obtain a mysterious package.
The story was a bit hard to get into at first, since it seems like some things one is just expected to know. I don't know if that is because one is suppose to have read other books by the author or if its because some things are suppose to be common knowledge to Science Fiction fans. Whatever the cause, it took me a bit to get into the story. Once I made it through the first bit, I enjoyed the adventure that Crater, Petro, and Maria go on. The author created an interesting world, though I felt like his description of what happened on Earth to make the situation on the Moon necessary was a bit lacking. It would of been nice if he had either gone into that story a bit or jut totally left it alone, rather than hinting at something having happened on Earth.
I think this book would be especially perfect for teens who enjoy Science Fiction or Fantasy.
Reviewed for booksneeze.com

Behemoth, by Jonathan C. Leicht

When Jim Thompson, the chief game warden at Masai Mara Game Reservation in Kenya, finds four of his precious animals gored to death by a mysterious animal, he calls in a good friend to help him go on a mission to find the unique animal.
Unbeknownst to them, back in America, Professor Stephen Gregory's creationist views have cost him his job. Not long after losing his position as an esteemed professor, Dr. Gregory gets the chance to put together a team to go after an African legend that could be a dinosaur.
The story flows nicely between the two stories, weaving an amazing tale.
When I first started this book, I thought the story line might be like Jurassic Park. Thankfully, the story was not a rip off of the famous novel.
I like that the author wove a lot of facts regarding the Creationist vs. Evolutionist debate. He did it in such a way that it is interesting and not dry in the least! Even if you don't agree with the creationist view point, I think one could learn a lot from this story.
If you like a good adventure, than this is your book!
Reviewed for booksneeze.com