The Promise of Stardust: A Novel by Priscille Sibley

The Promise of Stardust is Sibley's debut novel and it does not disappoint. 

Matt and Elle have know one another their entire lives and after a long break up, they navigate back to one another and get married. A tragic accident leaves, Elle brain dead and a fight for the life of her unborn child makes headline news and causes rifts in the family.

 Their love story is told from Matt's point of view. Sibley flawlessly slips back and forth between present time and the past. The courtroom action does not weight down this story. There is a degree of pro-life movement but the books main focus is about love, courage and family. 

This is one book you won't be forgetting anytime soon and an excellent novel for Jodi Picoult fans.

Grade: A

Safe with Me: A Novel by Amy Hatvany

If you haven't read anything by, Amy Hatvany you need to drop what you are doing right this second and go out and get one of her books.

Amy brings characters to life. Safe with Me deals with a variety of issues, such as domestic abuse, the lost of a child, organ donation and the close bonds of female friendships.

This story is told in three different perspectives, that of Olivia, Hannah and Maddie.
 Hannah's daughter is in a tragic accident and Hannah donates her organs. One of the recipients of the organs is, young Maddie. Her mother, Olivia is overprotective and will do anything to make sure her daughter gets the care she needs, even if it means abuse at the hands on the man who is suppose to love and treasure her.

A chance meeting brings these three characters together and together they navigate a world of half truths and secrets that can test and break the bonds of friendship and love.

Be prepared to go on an emotional and heartbreaking journey.

Grade: A

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

THE THRUTH ABOUT ALICE 

Release date: June 3, 3014

This is Mathieu's first novel and while it might be predictable it is is real. Very real, especially in this day and age ---  when gossip spreads like wild fire due to technology and bullying is making national headline news.

 This book is character driven. Each character has a unique voice and personality. There is no mixing up of characters in this read. Male voices are as distinct as the females. You're never left to question who is telling their point of view ( there are four of them).  I felt like,  I was back walking the halls of my old high school and listening to stories I found hard to believe or was to naive to accept.

Summary:

Alice Franklin is popular and beautiful. She's the girl everyone wants to be, the girl all the guys want to date and then --- overnight she becomes an outcast . A "slut".  Rumor circulate that she had sex with two guys in one night at a party.When the rumor mill is starting to dry out, one the guys she supposedly had sex with dies in a car accident. He is the all American boy - handsome, popular and the high school quarterback.

 Alice is blamed for his death despite the fact that he was driving while under the influence. It it said that her texting distracted him and caused the accident.

Every story has it's own truths and lies and only one person really knows the truth about what, Alice did or didn't do.

A powerful must read! I can almost picture this book on the big screen, soon!

Grade: A+

Deep Thoughts From a Hollywood Blonde by Jennie Garth and Emily Heckman

This book wasn't exactly what I hoped for but ... It was decent enough.

Jennie gives the reader a bit of background information on her days before,during and after BH90210. The most engaging part deals with her childhood and her "rise" to fame.

She is rather vague on some aspects of her life and there are many inconsistencies in relation to plot lines and such during her 90210 days.  An example of this is, she mentions that the character of Dylan was brought in to play a rebel in the summer season before the second season began and this simply isn't true -- Dylan showed up in the second episode of the first season!

She also mentions that she played a high school student while pregnant in real life and this is also incorrect. When she was pregnant the 90210 crew was well out of their high school days and their characters were well into their adults lives.

These are only two of many conflicting stories she shares with readers and I have to wonder if these "Deep Thoughts From A Hollywood Blonde" are actually only surface deep. She either has worse  memory than she says (I'm thinking dementia) or thinks she can fool her audience into thinking/believing things we know otherwise. It makes me wonder how much of her "memoir" is accurate.

With the exception of events related to her childhood and family, I didn't learn anything new. Nothing you can't find on the Internet anyway!

If you must read, check it out from the library or borrow it from a friend.

Grade: C-

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

Jake and Ryan are driving home one night when a tragic accident happens that will change the course of life for everyone.

Jakes and Ryan have to keep the details of that night a secret or reap the consequences. Jake will do anything to protect his teenage son Ryan even if this means keeping his wife out of the loop.

The guilt starts to eat away and when a person who witnessed the crime surfaces and whole new game comes into play.

This is a rather interesting and entraining read but expect some predictability. The characters are well developed and the storyline gives an excellent example of how the choices we make and the lies we tell can multiply.

Grade: A-

We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

WE ARE THE GOLDENS 

Will be released on May 27, 2014

Nell and Layla have always been close and have never keep secrets until now. Nell suspects the rumors going around school true. Layla finally confesses the truth to Nell and  she is sworn to secrecy but this is one secret Nell might not be able to keep.

This story is told from Nell's point of view. She is the younger sister, who has always idolized her sister and when they start to drift apart, Nell is desperate to know why but the truth can tear them further apart. 

This story is thought provoking and well written but Reinhardt throws in two characters, who don't add to the story. They are the Creed brothers and when you read the story  you will understand why these two characters make this book less than stellar. 

If you also dislike books that don't give a resolution --- skip this one.

Grade: B-

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Jane Green never disappoints. Her novels have changed over the course of her writing career. They have more depth to them and less "fluff".

Tempting Fate explores marriage, infidelity and the consequences of one's actions.

Gabby has a wonderful, caring husband and two lovely daughters. She's a stay at home mother and a chance encounter with Matt a younger man, changes the course of her life.

They carry on an intense, fun, sexy relationship and when boundaries are crossed and temptation is staring her in the face, Gabby has a choice to make. This one choice this "mistake" may just unravel her marriage.

An emotionally raw story, with characters that you can relate to. You don't have to be cheated on or have been a cheater to understand the emotional turmoil the characters experience.

If infidelity is a subject you can't handle then this book isn't for you.

Grade: A

A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier

A Death-Stuck Year is a historical novel about a young teen girl named, Cleo who volunteers to help patients who have fallen ill during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic.

Lucier has obviously done research on the epidemic and gives the reader insight into this period of time without overwhelming one with details. The facts are easily woven into the storyline but it lacks drama, emotion and intrigue.

The author tells rather than shows the story, so you aren't able to fully grasp the fear or loss that that characters were undergoing.  People are dying and the flu is spreading yet character are nonchalant about the events, which makes makes this story border on unrealistic.

I love the historical aspects of the story, the  idea of a young girl joining the Red Cross to help those in need but the story needed so much more --- and it had the potential to go from average to amazing.

Grade: C+

Hidden by Catherine McKenzie

Hidden is a story about a person's life and their loved ones after they die. It is about choices, repercussion, secrets we keep  and moving on.


Hidden is told in three different, distinct voices. It is told in chronological order, each person telling a story that is unique to them and their circumstance.

Jeff's unexpected death forever changes the lives of two women, his wife, Claire and his co-worker, Tish. Their lives are interwoven and a chance encounter as Jeff's funeral makes, Claire pause, reevaluate and investigate the relationship he had with Tish.

McKenzie writes an engaging novel that will keep you up way past bedtime. If you haven't read her work before, I suggest you go out and get one of her books, now!

Grade: A

Horde (Enclave) by Ann Aguirre

Horde is the last book in the Enclave trilogy and the ending is quite satisfying.

Ann Aguirre delivers an action packed, page turning, highly entertaining novel.  The characters, the plot and the writing are at its very best. There are twists and turns. Characters fight, characters die and an epic battle takes place.

I don't want to give anything away ---  so --- if you haven't read the final book in this trilogy, pick it up now and read it. If you haven't heard of this trilogy or read it,  pick it up now, sit back and enjoy.

Grade: A

Overview:[B&N]

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

Reading Joss Whedon by Rhonda Wilcox

I'm not exactly sure where to go with this review. I'm quite fond of, Joss Whedon and I love, Buffy the Vampire Slayer but I didn't love this book. I didn't hate it either, it falls somewhere in between love and hate.

Reading Joss Whedon, is a collection of scholarly essays that focus on the works of, Whedon. The majority of the book focus on BTVS and Angel. Dollhouse, Serenity and Firefly are also discussed in detail.

A lot of interesting and valid points are made however it can become too descriptive, which takes away from the legitimacy of the collective works. Some of the essay's can be rather dry and long winded.

The analysis of episodes and plots can be rather intriguing and entertaining. Some aspects of the book are much stronger than others, which keep you engaged however there are moments where I found myself skimming pages that were flat and dull.

If you're a fan of Joss Whedon, I recommend taking the time to read this book but I strongly suggest that you only read the sections that pertain to your interest. If you love BTVS read that section and if you're "eh" about Serenity or Angel, skip it.

Grade: C+