Doctor Sleep: A Novel by Stephen King

"The Shinning" is perhaps one of the most memorable and frightening stories, I have ever read and "Doctor Sleep" is its sequel. King, does not disappoint.  It won't  give you the nightmares, "The Shinning" did but it will haunt you, long after you close the book shut.

Like, many of King's novels, there are several plots going on at once. The writing is spectacular and the story flows seamlessly. Dan is no longer a frightened little boy, he is an adult going in a downward spiral fueled by alcohol until, a single moment causes him to change his path and become a better person.

A child with the shinning manages to reach out to him and a variety of circumstances puts her life at risk. Dan steps up to the plate to save her life, even if it means losing his.

King is a master of his craft ---- and "Doctor Sleep" was significantly better than, I anticipated. Don't miss out on this novel, its a sensational read.

Grade: A+

Streaks of Blue: How the Angels of Newtown Inspired One Girl to Save Her School by Jack Chaucer

Streaks of Blue is a fictional novel in which a character named,  Nikki has a very specific dream about a school shooting. She makes it her quest to befriend the shooter in her dream and change the course of his actions, in an attempt to save the lives of her classmates and herself.

Chaucer broaches a tough and dark subject that has become prevalent in our society. He tackles it with realism, using emotions to keep you turning the pages.  Nikki, is a strong character but I had some  difficulties finishing this novel because at moments it can be too wordy, however if you push though those moments, the read is worth the it.

Grade: B

Reign of Blood by Alexia Purdy

"Reign of Blood" had so much promise and started off strong. The main character, April is a young teen age girl who lives with her mother and young brother. As, far as they know, they are the only humans, in their city that have survived the vampire plague.

On a trip to collect supplies, April's family goes missing. She makes it her mission to find them and along the way finds a hybrid vampire who can tolerate sunlight. He promises to help her get her family back and takes her to his underground home.

He of course has an alliterative motive --- and then this is where the book falls apart, however Purdy puts some twist into it that pull the storyline out of the shadows and just saves the book from complete failure.

There is a great deal of action but many of the connections between characters are weak and the storyline doesn't execute.


Grade: C-

Watch How We Walk by Jennifer LoveGrove

"Watch How We Walk" just hit the bookshelves on, October 1st. 

The story is told in two parts, one when, Emily is young and innocent and the second, in which Emily is older and on her own. It is told in a before and after fashion.

 Emily is fascinated by her older sister, Lenora and struggles with her families strong, devout convictions to the, Jehovah Witness religion. Lenora, is constantly testing the bonds of their religious beliefs and their parents patience, causing additional stress on an already strict and complicated family. In order to deal with things, Emily takes to self mutilation. 

As, an adult woman and on her own, Emily continues to struggle with her past and process what, went wrong in her childhood and how the incident with her sister, changed her and her families forever. 

LoveGrove gives strong insight into what strict parents and strong religious convictions CAN do to a family and how it can tear it apart. This novel is well written and worth the read.

Grade: A

Fire & Ash (Rot & Ruin) by Jonathan Maberry

"Fire & Ash"is the last book in the Rot & Ruin series and it ties everything together pretty well.  The character's have grown tremendously over the entire series, most of it happening in this last book.

There is a great deal of action as Benny and his crew go off in search of a doctor who just might have the end all cure. The zombies are mutating and time is of the essence as.  Their own town might fall prey to those who want the entire human species eradicated. The stakes are higher then ever and this action packed, impossible to put down book.

Grade: A-

Overview [B&N]

In the gripping conclusion to the action-packed “standard bearer” (Booklist) of zombie series, the threat of death is given new life.

Benny Imura and his friends have found the jet and Sanctuary—but neither is what they expected. Instead of a refuge, Sanctuary is a hospice, and the soldiers who flew the plane seem to be little more than bureaucrats who have given up hope for humanity’s future. With Chong hovering between life and death, clinging to his humanity by a thread, Benny makes a startling discovery: A scientist may have discovered a cure for the zombie plague. Desperate to save Chong, Benny and his friends mount a search and rescue mission. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt. The reapers are after the cure too, and they want to use it turn all the zombies into superfast shock troops—and wipe humanity off the face of the earth.

The Tulip Eaters by van Heugten, Antoinette

The Tulip Eaters will be published, November 1, 2013.

Nora de Jong's mother has been murdered and her baby is missing. The dead body of an unknown, man is found upstairs in her home, clutching a German Luger.  There is no ransom for her daughter, Rose and upon investigating belongings in her home, she finds a metal box that contains secret documents. These documents, shatter her world. Everything she thought she knew about her parents is wrong. She has more questions than answers.

The combination of,  her parents secret past and the futile investigation by the police, take her to, Amsterdam.  In her quest to search for the truth and her daughter, she learns more than she ever bargained for.

This intriguing historical fiction novel, takes you back into the dark days of WWII, nazi occupation, death and revenge.

The past meets up with the future and it's up to, Nora to unravel it in order to get her daughter back.

This brilliant novel, will keep you on edge and reading into the wee hours of the night. It is full of suspense, romance and heartbreak. The cast of characters and storyline will take you on an emotional ride.

Grade: A