Monday, February 16, 2015

Absolutely Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery by Heather Vogel Frederick

Back Cover
An unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte’s Web leads to a hunt for treasure in this heartwarming middle grade mystery from the author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club.

Now that Truly Lovejoy’s father has been injured by an IED in Afghanistan and is having trouble finding work back home, the family moves from Texas to tiny Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire, to take over Lovejoy’s Books, a struggling bookstore that’s been in the family for one hundred years.

With two older brothers and two younger sisters clamoring for attention, her mother back in school, and everyone up to their eyebrows trying to keep Lovejoy’s Books afloat, Truly feels more overlooked than usual. So she pours herself into uncovering the mystery of an undelivered letter she finds stuck in a valuable autographed first edition of Charlotte’s Web, which subsequently goes missing from the bookshop. What’s inside the envelope leads Truly and her new Pumpkin Falls friends on a madcap treasure hunt around town, chasing clues that could spell danger.

My Thoughts
I really liked this book a lot. The moment you read about the father and what he went through and what his family went through for military, it just sticks with you. You feel for the girl, Truly, and how she feels lost in her family. A new school. New house. New everything. Who can blame her for feeling this way? I would feel the same. Truly is hilarious and very smart for her 12 year old self. I was impressed with her and her friends smarts and how well they did with the clues for the mystery. I think an unsung character would be Aunt True. She livens things up and sort of brings the family back together, almost back to normal. She's the crazy they needed to become their crazy family again. I think Aunt True was one of my favorite characters after Truly. They both hold the story together.

4 out of 5 stars.

Dark Witch, The Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy, by Nora Roberts

Back Cover:
With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive.

My Thoughts:
I haven't read Nora Roberts books recently but I was very excited for this book. And I wasn't disappointed! I loved the story, the plot, the characters, the romance. I loved it all. I really love how Nora Roberts does romance. I enjoyed every moment of the Iona and Boyle love story. The magic and lore of the story was really very imaginative and believable. I really liked how the 6 friends banned together to defeat the evil. I think Roberts got this story right.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins

                                                         Back Cover:
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White), edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins.  Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone.  So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy.  You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the stories by Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Stephanie Perkins, and Gayle Forman. The stories were very cute altogether but the most memorable ones were of the authors mentioned. For a book so hyped, I found that I just liked it and was not in love with it like most were.

3 out of 5 stars!