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Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is a YA contemporary suspense novel by Jacqueline Green. When Tenley Reed returns to her hometown, she brings her age-old game of truth or dare with her. It’s a way, along with her fabulous parties, to reclaim her popularity after being gone so long. For Caitlin “Angel” Thomas, it’s a chance to reunite with her best friend and forget about her Harvard plans for a while. Sydney Morgan didn’t even go to the party, consumed of thoughts of her kind-of-boyfriend being back in town – and never interested in that scene anyway. All three, however, begin to receive mysterious, anonymous dares once the party is over… Dares that involve very real threats. Tenley, Caitlin, and Sydney all have secrets – how far will they go to keep them that way? Truth or Dare was exactly what I would hope it would be! Quickly, it presented hints of mystery, which I very much liked. The setting of Echo Bay is haunted by a past of drowning victims come Fall Festival time, at least o...

The Runaway King

The Runaway King is the second in the YA intrigue/historical Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A Nielsen. Yet again, just like Monday, we have a second book – which means I don’t think you should read this review until you have read the first book, in this case The False Prince . You can check out my review of The False Prince here . This is a trilogy with so many twists and turns, I REALLY recommend not reading this review unless you’ve read The False Prince . I don’t want you to ruin the fun for yourself! There will be inevitable spoilers here, if I want to give any idea of what The Runaway King is about. Final warning… SERIOUSLY … It’s only been weeks since Jaron took the throne after being threatened, tortured, and forcibly educated to impersonate the missing-and-thought-dead youngest son of the now-murdered royal family. When all along he was the true Jaron to start with. Now, on the day of the funeral for his family, he finds himself the almost-victim of an assassi...

Love's Awakening

Love’s Awakening is the second book in Laura Frantz’s historical fiction series The Ballantyne Legacy . As this is a series that follows the legacy, the generations, of a family – I strongly feel that reading the books in order are important. So, if you have not already, start with Silas and Eden’s journey in Love’s Reckoning – review here – before continuing on with Love’s Awakening . Until then, I recommend avoiding this review for inevitable spoilers. In Love’s Awakening , we return to Pennsylvania – this time in 1822. Elinor Ballantyne, youngest child of Silas and Eden, is headed home – having made the executive decision that she had been “finished” enough at finishing school. Longing to see her family and friends again, she’s only slightly concerned what they will think of her choice. As the lovely, delicate, mannered daughter, she’s been blessed with the chance to get the best schooling and opportunities – and with a fortune to rival others, she is extremely eligible....

Quick Fix

Quick Fix is a humorous paranormal mystery novel, and the follow-up to In a Fix , by Linda Grimes. I adored In a Fix – it was fun, breezy, original and stuffed with romance, mystery and humor. And so is Quick Fix !!! But if you have not read In a Fix , you really have no business reading the synopsis of Quick Fix – spoiling awesomeness should not be a priority, thankyouverymuch! Instead, you can click here to read my complete thoughts on In a Fix . Those of you, who HAVE read In a Fix , carry on: Ciel Halligan, aura adapter/life fixer enjoys her job of stepping into her clients lives and assisting with their problems – as them. If only she could fix her own life and confused romantic entanglements. Anywho, whilst on a job at the National Zoo with her new, recently-turned-maybe-boyfriend Billy and his little sister Molly she ponders her suddenly complicated emotions. Billy, best friend since childhood and longtime ne'er-do-well, has morphed into more – but her h...

City of Ice

City of Ice is a middle grade fantasy adventure, and book two in the City Trilogy , by Laurence Yep. As I stated on Monday, I decided to wait on reading the first book in this trilogy, City of Fire . Because I’m waiting, not skimming because of dislike or disinterest, I’m also waiting on the second book, City of Ice . But for those of you who are interested, I figured I’d give you some information about City of Ice – though it’d be best to avoid unless you’ve already read City of Fire , because the less you know the better!!! In an alternate version of our world in 1941 there are lap griffins, legendary Chinese warriors, Japanese folk creatures, dragons taking human form, and gods in disguise! Scirye and her companions have pursued the dragon Badik and Mr. Roland all the way to the Arctic Circle, intent on avenging the deaths of their loved ones. With help they chase their enemies across the desolate Wastes, determined to stop Mr. Roland from locating the second of the Five...

The Invention of Sarah Cummings

The Invention of Sarah Cummings is the third novel in Olivia Newport’s Christian historical fiction series Avenue of Dreams . The Pursuit of Lucy Banning and The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow are the first two books, and I definitely recommend reading them in order to maximize the storytelling experience, not to mention avoid some plot spoilers! You can click on the titles to see my reviews. If you’re up-to-date with this series, you should be aware of Sarah Cummings character. She takes the spotlight in this book. Here’s a little synopsis: It’s the turn of the century in Chicago, and a life of a maid – of an orphan – is not what Sarah was meant to have. She feels this through and through, every day that she mops a floor or serves a supper. With her amazing sewing skills she has managed to take her wealthy Banning employers castoff gowns and make them into fashionable garments. It’s when she’s wearing one of her creations that she meets newcomer Lillie Wagner. Lillie takes...

City of Fire

City of Fire is a middle grade fantasy novel by Laurence Yep. Scirye loves her older sister Niske – she’s been getting fighting lessons from her and spending as much time with her as she can while she’s escorting their people’s treasures to San Francisco in 1941, as well as guarding them. But when an otherworldly being steals a precious item, Niske dies trying to protect it. Determined to avenge her death, Scirye sets out with Bayang, a dragon disguised as a Pinkerton agent, Leech, a boy with powers he has yet to discover, and Leech’s best friend Koko with secrets of his own. They all have a reason to hunt down the evil dragon Badik. Not to mention the mysterious Mr. Roland. Even as the group gathers new friends, their enemy may be too strong to stop. His plan runs much more evil than they initially realized… City of Fire was a Fall 2009 IndieBound Kinds’ Next List Selection, an Amazon.com Best Books of September Selection, and has received numerous admiring reviews. Un...