AUTHOR BIO
Grace's junior year of high school is picture perfect, until she watches the news. Her mother is being investigated by the FBI for fraud. She's accused of taking money from her business - an investment fund. Grace's classmates and their families invested - some heavily.My Thoughts: I loved this book. I kept turning the pages because I Needed to know what happened. I loved the dual timelines and how they came together. I love the photography moments. I love the hiking - even the scary parts of hiking. I really enjoyed the banter between Grace and Sam. I love how Grace had a perfect life - until she didn't and how she dealt with that. Another winner of a story from Amy Fellner Dominy. I can't wait to see what she writes next! And if you haven't read her other books, go out a get them, you won't be sorry!
Grace can't even confront her mother about the truth because her mother had a stroke and slipped into a coma. Now even her best friends have turned against her and she's persona non grata in school.
Is her mother a thief? Was it a set-up? A mistake? Is the money hidden somewhere?
Today I'm at the CT Librarian Conference talking on a panel about New Adult books. So I thought I'd share some of my favorite YA/NA crossover titles.
Leonie isn't interested in marriage - not since the night she eloped and her almost husband raped her. She killed him in self defense, but the damage was done. Luckily another suitor saved her. What she didn't know was that it cost him - dearly. Now he's the Earl of Rochdale in need of a wealthy wife. Her father just agreed to her marriage. In order to make it through the ceremony, Leonie has a nip (or more) of brandy. The Earl is furious - he doesn't want a wife who can't control herself around alcohol. Leonie isn't sure what to expect from the marriage, but there are times when the Earl is sweet and tender and times when he's furious. Do they have a shot at a happier marriage than her parents?My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel - minus the two rape plot points (one before the book opens and one during the book). I'm just not interested in reading about rape (obviously I know it happens). But what I did really enjoy about this book was the heroine's dependence on alcohol. I haven't seen it in many books. I liked how they worked on the house together and how Leonie grew to imagine it's potential.
The Vanderbeekers have the worst Christmas ahead of them; their lease hasn't been renewed. They have to move out of their apartment before the end of the year. The five siblings (Jessie and Isa - the twins, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney) are devastated. They Love their home and can't imagine living anywhere else. But they have a plan to save their home - lots of plans actually. Can they convince cranky old Mr. Beiderman to change his mind?
This week's topic is a freebie. I've been reading some great middle grade reads, so I thought I'd highlight them. Enjoy!
- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl
Mayka and her family have been carved out of stone. Their marks tell their stories and make it possible for them to experience life. But their marks are fading and in Turtle's case, so faded that he's gone to sleep. Mayka won't allow that to happen to anyone else her family. She's determined to go down the mountain and into the city to find a stonemason to help them. But what she finds is more than she bargains for.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. I loved the descriptive writing. I loved the message of the book: everyone writes their own story. I loved how the family would tell stories all night while looking up at the stars. I loved the power of stories. I enjoyed how Mayka, Jacklo, and Risa left the mountain to find help. Mayka was determined and brave. I loved how they met new people (not always nice people) and how they interacted with all of them. I loved the moments in the city - where everything was both full of wonder and simultaneously overwhelming. I love how Mayka helped everyone and I especially loved the ending!
