Toward a Secret Sky

Secret Sky

Publisher: Blink

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A deliciously intriguing story that can’t help but be devoured. An adventure that needs to be read again and again just to let it all sink in. There better be another book to follow because I want more.

Maren Hamilton is seventeen and has just watched her mother be buried. She is now left all alone and is sent to live with her grandparents in Scotland. That wouldn’t be so bad except she had never met them. It is hard enough fitting in at a new school, let alone one in a new country. Just when Maren thinks she is starting to relax and feel like it could be home, she receives some of her mother’s things from her work, including an encrypted journal that makes her realize she never really knew her mother or others around her. Now, she is in danger along with anyone she gets close to. One by one, she pieces together the clues left by her mother but not before her small town becomes the victim of something evil. Maren needs the help of Gavin, her newly appointed guardian angel, who she has quickly fallen in love with even though it is against all rules. He may be her angel but they are also dealing with demons and forces of evil the likes of which she could never have imagined. Before all is said and done, Maren will learn some of the hardest life lessons and hopefully come out the other side alive and better for it, or maybe not.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. There was just the right amount of action, romance, suspense, drama and even supernatural to keep me hooked throughout. All of those together can sometimes be a difficult combination but it worked here flawlessly. Maclean did an excellent job of bringing these characters, and the different settings, to life in a dramatic and beautiful way. The main setting in Scotland is set up mostly by Gavin, which I liked. This is the kind of story that I can see fans of the Twilight series falling in love with. There is a lot of push and pull between the characters, especially Maren and Gavin; they want to be together but know it isn’t permitted. When you have characters in this kind of situation it can become tiresome with the back and forth, but for some strange reason it worked here. Maybe it was because nothing felt forced. The characters did what they would naturally do and it showed with the way it came across on the pages. All I must say is there better be another book to follow because I want more. The ending wrapped things up nicely but also left it open easily for another to come. I highly recommend this to young adults looking for a thrilling supernatural read that will leave them wanting more well past the last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Andi Under the Big Top

4431 cover 2.indd Author: Susan K. Marlow

Series: Circle C Stepping Stones #2

Publisher: Kregel

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Another fun adventure for young readers that is just the right combination of excitement and life lessons we can all use.

Andi Carter is excited for summer! She is finally healed from the broken arm she got trying to do a trick on her horse and now the circus has come to town. She has seen the circus once before, but was too young to fully remember anything, except for being scared of the clowns. The most exciting thing for Andi is getting to see the champion bareback rider. During the show, Andi and her family meet Henry Jackson, a young boy working in the circus. Andi is a little jealous of Henry at first, working and hanging out with all the circus performers and traveling to new places. That quickly changes after she learns that he ran away from home to join the circus and now he can’t leave. Andi feels led to help him get free, but doing so might cost her more than she is willing to pay.

The second book in the Circle C series is another fun adventure for young readers. However, I don’t think I would say it is as good as the first. I have a problem with the way it ended. For me it didn’t take care of a few of the loose ends. I don’t want to give anything away, but it was too quick without the explanations I would have liked to have seen. The target audience of 7-10 year old children probably won’t notice, or if they do, they might not care, but it bothered me. I liked the way Andi saw a wrong being committed and wanted to do something about it and help. This is a good reminder for the readers to always try and do what is right. The length of these books is just perfect for young readers to get a good story but not be overwhelmed by the amount to read. I recommend this to kids starting out with chapter books that enjoy stories with animals and have some history to them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Andi Saddles Up

4430 cover 1.indd Author: Susan K. Marlow

Series: Circle C Stepping Stones #1

Publisher: Kregel

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun, quick read great for young readers ready to get started with an adventure.

All that Andi Carter has thought about is getting to her ninth birthday so she can be old enough to ride her palomino horse, Taffy, all on her own. When the day finally arrives, she is excited to receive her first saddle and gets ready for an adventure. She wants to learn to do tricks like her friend, unfortunately her older brother Chad thinks that is too dangerous and won’t even let her try. In an attempt to make up for it, he shows her to a super secret spot she can go to think and have her privacy. It is here that she meets a new friend, Sadie. The girls quickly become good friends until they find out their families are in the middle of a fight over the boundary of their lands. They don’t understand the way adults must make a big fuss over things that don’t seem important to either of them. More than their friendship will be tested as the fighting continues.

I picked up this book to see what it would be like for young readers like my son, who is in first grade. This is the perfect book for young readers looking for an adventure (when he saw me reading it he quickly wanted to start reading it himself). Everything about this is great for kids starting out, the writing is quick and concise, the story has a bit of mystery and adventure, and it is just the right length to give them a sense of accomplishment without seeming overwhelming. I also enjoyed the little lessons it gave throughout, teaching of how important it is to be kind and how kids look to see the best in each other even when the others around them just want to continue with a fight, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. I highly recommend this as a series for kids and even parents to read together and enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Horse’s Arse

Horses arse Author: Laura Gascoigne

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

An intriguing tale of lost art and thief’s afoot with disastrous plans.

Patrick Phelan lives in North London and has always hoped to make it big as an artist. Instead he has settled for running art classes for amateurs in a shed behind his home. He has spent his life working on a series of canvases of The Seven Seals. Marty, his son, has always been up to no good. So when he comes to Phelan with an offer to make copies of paintings of modern masters, he is hesitant but reluctantly agrees for the money. The deal quickly turns into more than they could have planned for with fraud, kidnapping, murder and even the mafia involved.

I wanted to like this one, I really did. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. When you first pick up the book, it looks to be a very quick read with just barely over two hundred pages. It quickly became apparent that it wasn’t going to be quick, I slogged through the pages but nothing got me interested. Part of the problem for me was the lack of dialogue that kept the story from flowing. There was a little bit here and there but not enough to keep the pages turning. The narrative was overwhelming with not having enough to satisfy readers. The premise is one that I think will interest art history enthusiast, but others will have a hard time getting into the story and sticking with it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Almost Missed You

Almost Missed You Author: Jessica Strawser

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A wonderful debut novel that will leave the reader guessing at every turn and wondering if we ever really know the people we have in our lives.

Violet and Finn’s relationship has been one people talk about as the couple that was meant to be. They came to be together by not one, but several coincidences. A chance meeting on a beach, another with a note on a website to find each other again, and friends that connect them as well. Three years into their marriage Violet thinks things are perfect. They have a little boy named Bear, whom they both love and are all going on a family vacation back to the beach. One afternoon as she is relaxing on the beach, Finn offers to take Bear back to the hotel for his nap so she can relax. As the afternoon wears on, she packs her things and heads back to the room to find it empty, no Finn, no Bear. All of the boy’s things are gone, it’s like they were never there to begin with. Violet finds herself living her worst nightmare and starts to wonder if she ever really knew the man she married.

Caitlin and Finn have been best friends for years. When he takes off with Bear it is Caitlin he runs to for help, demanding she help hide them or he will reveal a secret that could destroy her family. Caitlin is faced with a difficult decision, help her longest, closest friend to protect her secret, or do what she knows deep down is the right thing to do.

This story is told from alternating viewpoints of Violet, Finn and Caitlin and back and forth from present to past. It is rare that an author can pull something like that off, but Jessica Strawser did an outstanding job with Almost Missed You. For a debut novel, this was outstanding. Rarely have I read a book that made this kind of emotional connection, was a thrilling page turner, and made me think so hard about the possibility of this actually happening in my own life or the lives of people I know. It was incredibly easy to see the depth of love all of these characters had for their children and also the hard choices they were facing with each step they took. Violet lived every mother’s worst fear, losing a child, and more astounding to someone they thought they could trust. Finn was the epitome of someone in need of help dealing with pent up issues keeping him from moving forward with his life. And Caitlin is stuck in the middle. She knows about Finn’s past and doesn’t want to betray him in any way but can’t stand to see Violet hurting. I think the reason this story worked so well was the fact it was told from so many different viewpoints. We got to see more of what was happening compared to if it was just from one character’s viewpoint.

I love finding new authors that I will want to stick with for years to come and I am happy to say I think I found one in Strawser. I recommend this book to all those that enjoy a good mystery that is tight with emotional connections that will keep you turning the pages well past bedtime.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Kingdom of Oceana

Oceana Author: Mitchell Charles

Publisher: Butterhorse Media

Release Date: November 27, 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A beautiful tale set on a beautiful island that makes for a fun and exciting read.

Sixteen-year-old Prince Ailani has always been in his brother’s shadow and feels that he is where he is destined to be. They live on the island of Hawaii, where there is adventure, surfing, shark taming, fire walking, and even a thousand-year-old curse that they are about to unleash on their paradise. The boys discover an ancient tiki mask at a forbidden burial ground. Then without knowing it, they set about a chain of events that will send the islands of Oceana out of control. Prince Ailani must get in touch with his inner strength, and his ancestral spirit animal in order to overcome the obstacles they are about to face.

It pains me to say that I have had this on the shelf for a while and just now picked it up. This was a fun adventure that is rich in history and full of fun. Mitchell Charles did a great job of creating a wonderful tale showing sibling rivalry at its most intense, magic, love and so much more. While reading, I felt like I was on the islands, and wished I was there experiencing the beauty. That’s the great thing about a well written book, it can transport you to a magical place you might never be able go to in real life. The mythical elements were fun to read. I particularly enjoyed the playful banter between Ailani and the Kahula. It had just enough humor to keep me smiling but not so much that it took away from the suspense and mystery of the story.

Since I have finished I keep looking and hoping for a second book to come out and continue the story, fingers crossed it will still happen. I think this could be considered a great YA read, especially with the length, not too long to intimidate younger readers but enough to fully flesh out the story. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a good thrill set in a beautiful and magical place.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Long Time Gone

Long Time Gone Author: Mary Connealy

Series: The Cimarron Legacy #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: February 28, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A charming western romance with action and adventure at just the right spots.

After the patriarch of the Boden family is injured in what appears to be an accidental landslide and sent to Denver for treatment, the rest of the family is left to handle the ranch and quickly uncover it was no accident. Justin Boden is now in charge of the ranch and after seeing his father hurt and now his brother Cole, shot and in critical condition, he feels in over his head. The doctor trying to save Cole has an assistant, Angie Dupree, that is a distraction to Justin. Angie came to town to stay with her aunt after her life didn’t go as planned. Justin and the rest of the family must work together, with the help of Angie, who he is quickly falling for, and a few others to figure out who is out to get their family. Things are turning out to be much bigger than they first thought and danger is around every corner and deadlier than they could have imagined.

The best thing about a Mary Connealy book is that it is a quick read that is enjoyable. However, sometimes the books can be unmemorable, especially when you read a lot. It has been a while since I read the first in the series and didn’t remember a whole lot of it before starting this one. In a way that is good because I can say that if readers haven’t read the first book, they will still enjoy this one. It does help for some background information with the parents and what the family is facing. But it is not completely vital to have read the first before starting this one. I read these and enjoy them while I am reading them and then move on to the next on my list, whereas with some I hate to put it down because it was so good. I liked the storyline of Justin and Angie, I could see where they were heading and everything felt natural for the characters as they got to where they needed to be. I’m hoping the third book will go into Cole and his relationship to come, ( I could be wrong but I’m guessing he will fall for Melanie.) I recommend this book to readers than enjoy a good, clean, historical romance with cowboys, action and a little humor sprinkled in for good measure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

If I’m Found

If I'm Found Author: Terri Blackstock

Series: If I Run #2

Publisher: Zondervan

Release Date: March 21, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second book in the series but might just be Blackstock’s best book yet. A tight, suspenseful story that will leave you begging for more.

Casey Cox is on the run for a murder she didn’t commit. She has just gotten away again from the man tasked to bring her in, PI Dylan Roberts. He had her in his grasp but let her go. She has been emailing him, insisting her innocence and he is starting to believe her. He still isn’t sure he can trust her but each day a new piece of evidence turns up making her seem more believable than those after her. Casey is trying to gather evidence about the murder she is accused of and others, exposing deep corruption within the department that is trying to frame her. During her search, she also uncovers evidence of a child being abused and a man on the verge of suicide. Even though she knows she should focus on staying safe and clearing her own name, she can’t help trying to help others, even if she ends up found in the process and killed before she would make it to jail.

I have been a fan of Terri Blackstock for a long time and must say this might be her best book. It is hard for a second book in a series to be that good, a lot of times it is just filler for what is coming in the third (and usually final) in the series. I would advise reading the first in the series, just to have the background necessary to understand what the characters are going through. The tension was at a whole new level for Blackstock making this the best I have read by her. Casey and Dylan both have problems that make them flawed characters that we can relate to and want to root for. We might not all be running from a murder we didn’t commit or have PTSD, but we all have problems. At times the problems Casey finds herself in might seem a little hard to believe, but the way it is all set up with Casey being a people person and getting involved in others’ lives when she should be keeping to herself makes it easy to see how she could wind up in the situations she does. With all the close calls that Casey finds herself in, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put the book down. It is only March but I have no doubt this will be in my top ten for the year. I recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a good suspense thriller that is clean, without unnecessary crude language or sex scenes throughout.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Roanoke Girls

The Roanoke Girls Author: Amy Engel

Publisher: Crown

Release Date: March 7, 2017

Rating: 3 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Disturbing and creepy. That’s all I’m saying.

Lane Roanoke is fifteen years old and her mom has just committed suicide, which is really not surprising to her as she has been threatening it for most of her life. What is surprising is that her mom’s parents want Lane to come live with them in Kansas, which is vastly different than New York City. Once she gets there, she is greeted by her cousin Allegra and they become like sisters, even look like sisters too. Her grandparents are filthy rich from oil and she becomes one of the Roanoke girls, which pretty much gets you whatever you want. However, one day she discovers the secret that drives all Roanoke girls either to run or to die. She runs away and never looks back.

Eleven years later, Allegra has gone missing and Lane is called back to Roanoke. Even though time has passed, it feels the same as soon as she pulls up. Everyone she left is still there and her messed up family is still the same. But with Allegra gone, sights are now set on Lane to take her place as the next Roanoke girl.

This book was very disturbing and creepy too. I can’t delve too much into it because it would give away the context to the readers, but needless to say, this is not what I was expecting in some big Kansas farmhouse. Still gives me the heebie jeebies. One point that I do have to make is that I can tell this author has written YA novels previously. The flow and characterizations still tended to show up as YA, which I actually like. However, what I don’t like is when there is a great YA author that decides to go into mainstream adult fiction and it reads like a YA novel with lots of profanity and sex, which is a bit of the case here. I’ve seen this happen with lots of great authors in the YA genre. I like the YA better because it is usually cleaner. I understand that this book had to have sex since that is the pretense of the whole things, but the profanity could have been cut way back. This is why I only recommend this book to mature older readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Orphan’s Tale

Orphan's tale Author: Pam Jenoff

Publisher: Mira Books

Release Date: February 21, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Readers meet the first protagonist, Noa, in late 1944 Germany at a train station. She has been put out of her home by her father after he discovers she is pregnant to a German soldier who occupied their Dutch home. After giving birth at a girls’ home and having her baby immediately taken away from her, she finds a job cleaning the train station and living in a small closet there. During her routine shift, Noa finds a train car full of Jewish babies. One in particular calls to her because he resembles her own child. Without thinking, Noa grabs the baby and runs away from the station. She struggles in the cold snow of winter with a baby in tow before passing out from cold, exhaustion, and fear. When she wakes up, the baby is in a warm basket with plenty of blankets and she is in a soft warm bed being cared for by a circus ringmaster. He tells Noa he will keep her and the baby that she spontaneously names Theo, but in return she must perform on the trapeze with their current star, Astrid.

Astrid is the second protagonist. She comes from a prominent circus family herself, but because she is Jewish, she is now in hiding. Her parents have been taken by the Germans, and she does not know the fate of her brothers. So far she has survived through her marriage to a German officer, but he had to put her out and divorce her per Nazi decree. Now she performs with the circus and is NOT happy about having to train a runaway girl she presumes is a single mother. Little does she know she and Noa will develop a very close friendship that will be her saving grace.

As the women get to know each other and develop a relationship through their close quarters and intense practice schedule, they share their secrets. Things get worse as they travel to Nazi-occupied France, and there they put their friendship to the test as protecting one another becomes a matter of life and death.

Wow! I am still reeling from this haunting novel of friendship and survival. There are so many compelling characters that bring the story to life that it is hard to choose a favorite. Astrid appears cold and unfeeling at first, but then we get to understand the hardships she’s endured. By the end of the story, readers feel a real connection to her and experience a genuine hope for her happiness. Noa immediately endears herself as she tries to save an innocent Jewish baby from certain death. The ringmaster is a kind and caring person who not only wants his performers to be successful, but also goes out of his way to hide Jewish people right out in the open. Peter is a clown bent on expressing his political views through his act no matter the consequence. Each person has a backstory and secret that somehow gets exposed, often to the detriment of that person. The characters are so well-developed and compelling that it’s hard not to relate to them on a basic human level.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about how the ending is a bit predictable. Once we find out what Astrid has in mind, it’s easy to see how it plays out. This is entirely a perspective thing as to whether it’s good or bad; I like to predict what will happen and then take gratification when I am proven right. Other people like to be surprised right up to the very end. Without spilling any plot secrets, I will say that even though I guessed the outcome, I enjoyed the parts leading up to it and the finale.

Even after taking a day to digest this book, I still find myself mulling over different parts of the story. They all went together so well and made for a satisfying, if not haunting, scenario. The author makes a point to mention at the end of the book that there were, indeed, circuses in Europe who went to a great deal of trouble to hide Jews during WWII. This story, while fiction, is inspired by those events, and, in my opinion, did those events justice. I cannot remember a time when I was so moved by a book, and I believe other readers will be also.

The book does contain violence and sexual situations, as well as adult themes relating to war. There are some themes that may not be appropriate for younger readers or for those sensitive to the Nazi occupation in Europe. Otherwise, this is a beautifully written book that shows the ability of the human spirit to overcome tragedy and make peace with the past. I highly recommend it to mature readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.