Until Leaves Fall in Paris

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 1, 2022

This is by far Sundin’s best book yet!

With the fall of Paris on the horizon, Lucie Girard’s Jewish friends that own her favorite bookstore have decide to leave for their own safety. They’ve been so good to Lucie by allowing her to stay with them so she could study ballet when her parents moved back to the United States that she feels she must help them, so she buys the bookstore. A year later Paris is fully occupied, and several titles are banned from being sold, but she manages to get by a little at a time. When she discovers that the French resistance is using her bookstore to pass along coded messages, she knows that she too must do her part to be part of pushing back against the Nazis.

After the death of his wife, automaker Paul Aubrey wants to return to the United States with his daughter to keep her safe. But the US government wants him to keep the factory open and appear as a collaborator with the Germans so that he can pass information back to the US. Paul becomes shunned by the Americans remaining in Paris, even the young bookstore owner that his daughter has taken such a liking too. But he knows that to make it convincing, he needs to keep up appearances. As his silent effort grows by taking in British airmen at the factory, he becomes more drawn to Lucie Girard, but can he risk his secret?

There is no doubt that this is Sarah Sundin’s best book! I have been reading her WWII fiction for years and this book had me captured from the beginning through the end. Just when I thought that the story was about to let up, she threw in a twist that I didn’t see coming and kept me glued to the page. Thank goodness I had a couple of days where all I had to do was read!

I love both Paul and Aubrey. And as a reader you get to see what is happening before it ever does. But with that comes the pain that both characters feel from each other when the truth isn’t known. The tension is spot on. The romance isn’t forced but allows for a natural attraction. There just aren’t enough good things to say about this book. Get your copy today!

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

Court

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series: Crave #4

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: February 1, 2022

For what I once thought was going to be the end, it sure does a fantastic job setting up more to come for fans of this fantastic series. Even when I want to stop reading, I can’t put the book down! Too good!!!

Just when things started to calm down, everything falls apart again for Grace and her friends. Flint is about to lose it; Jaxon is changing by the day and Hudson is shutting himself off from Grace as they are about to face their biggest battle yet. To survive, they are going to need an army of their own, the Gargoyle Army. The only problem is they have been frozen in time for a thousand years. The group works together to battle the most dangerous villain around, but with every battle they take on, they are faced with more and more challenges and not everyone is going to make it out alive.

I must give Tracy Wolff a hand, it is hard to write a book over 700 pages and keep the reader interested and even aching for more after turning the last page. Plus, the woman must write like a fiend with the next two coming out later this year also, insert happy dance! This series came to my attention last year and I have been hooked since. If you are fan of teen fantasy, especially books such as Twilight, Hunger Games and even Harry Potter, you will love these. There is more language and other adult themes than I would prefer, especially being marketed to teens, but if you can look past those aspects while reading it will be a fun series for you.

Probably one of the aspects that impressed me the most is Wolff’s ability to create this world and characters in a way that made it so believable unlike many of today’s authors can come close to. In this fourth installment, readers see Grace in even more trouble and dealing with her feelings for Hudson; the way this relationship is written got me in all the right places. Grace is the perfect female protagonist with amazing secondary characters to keep the story moving at a remarkable pace. Again, to write a book over 700 pages and keep the reader’s interest shows her talent and she obviously listens to her fans and gives them what they want with this story and these characters. Readers do need to be aware of the mature themes throughout and subject matter that is not appropriate for younger readers in my opinion. For the older readers that enjoy this type of fantasy series don’t miss this one.

Shaped by the Waves

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Nelson weaves yet another intricate story involving the lives of multiple women who need each other to move forward.

Cassie has always felt at home with the ocean while living in Gulls Bay, Oregon with her aunt Shasta. Her mother was killed in a car accident when she was very young, and Shasta came and got her in Seattle and brought her home to Gulls Bay. But when she finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy, she decides to move to California and pursue her studies in marine biology where no one knows who she is. One day she receives a call that changes her life, Shasta has had a stroke and she has been suffering from Parkinson’s for the last five years.

Cassie loads up her daughter Lark and makes the drive back up to Oregon. There she finds the same people she left behind that treat her as if she was never away. She soon realizes that she is going to have to be Shasta’s primary caregiver and suffers a series of worries and doubts that she won’t be good enough or strong enough to provide for both her daughter and Shasta. In the midst of everything, pieces of a manuscript begin to appear outside the apartment that begin to make Cassie question everything about her past, especially when she finds out that a baby with her name is buried in a cemetery in Seattle. What’s true and what’s not?

Christina Suzann Nelson always manages to craft characters who are hurting, yet strong willed, and make them become a reader’s best friend while trying to help them work out their problems. I have been a fan of many of her books and this is an excellent addition to the collection. Cassie will be many things to many different people. Some will find strength with her as she goes about her struggles. Others will find a companion to share their burdens with. Still others will understand the complications of her hesitancy to enter a relationship as a single parent of a young child. One thing is for sure, she is one of my favorite characters so far this year.

To say this is a difficult, emotional read is not to be taken lightly. As my parents are aging, I really haven’t put much thought into the future of having to become a caregiver and this book will really make you explore that. Other readers will probably find this an outlet to agree with the burdens that they are facing. This will be a great addition to any library. I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

As Fast As Her

Author: Kendall Coyne

Publisher: Zonderkids

Release Date: January 18, 2022

A fast story with an inspirational and powerful message for young readers. Even those not into hockey will get a lot out of this one!

US Olympian Kendall Coyne brings a message about never giving up on your dreams no matter what obstacles you might encounter, and she encountered many of them. When she was young, her brother was into hockey and as she got old enough to put on skates her parents put her in figure skating. It didn’t take for her to figure out hockey was where she needed to be even though there weren’t many girls playing. This would be a problem all throughout her time playing hockey, the inequality between the men playing and the women. One thing that set Kendall apart from the others was her speed, she was even able to keep up with the men in a national competition she almost won. Even though she was always told, “you’re not enough,” she started to believe it but not long enough to let it pull her in the wrong direction.

Throughout the pages of this book, readers will find inspiration and encouragement to stay the course and follow their dreams no matter how many people tell them they should give up or that they aren’t good enough. It is something that we all hear from time to time, and it can be easy to buy into the lies and let them hold us back from our full potential.

I started this book even though I am not a hockey fan and had honestly never heard of Kendall Coyne. This was an inspirational story from start to finish with great moments from her family and harsh moments with teammates and rivals. Throughout every moment and difficulty encountered, Kendall showed that it would have been easy to give up, but it wasn’t what she was meant to do. Not once did she give up and she finally made it to achieve her dreams and if we will believe in ourselves the way Kendall did over the years anything is possible.

Steelstriker

Author: Marie Lu

Series: Skyhunter #2

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Steelstriker is a fantastic follow up to Skyhunter with all the drama, action, romance, and suspense I’ve come to expect from Marie Lu!

After Mara has fallen to the Karensa federation, Talin is under the Premier with her mother, held captive, and used against her to make her do whatever the Premier wants her to do. Her friends and other Strikers are dead or in hiding as she is transformed into a Skyhunter, one of the deadliest war machines ever. Red is hiding out with the other Strikers waiting for the time they can free Talin and help free the other countries held under the federations power. Talin and Red still have a connection from their time together and try to use their link to help them go against the Premier. With challenges at every turn, they are going to have to fight harder than they ever imagined to come out on top and set those they love free.

By the time I finished this book I found myself comparing many aspects of it to other well-known YA dystopian series. If you have read one in particular, you will fully understand what I mean by this. One of the best aspects of this novel for me was the dual point of views so we got to see more of what was happening as opposed to just seeing the view from Talin’s eyes. It was easy to feel all the angst that Talin and Red were going through at every turn with the beautiful writing Marie Lu put on the pages. This series, along with other series I read by Lu, really get me in the feels with the main characters and what they go through. I have a real empathy for them, and it only works because the writing in this genre by this author. Young Adult Dystopian can be hard to write and write well but Marie Lu does it so good. I love a Dystopian novel if it is done right and this one was. The only exception I have is the use of a few adult themes throughout the book when it is marketed to Young Adults. The relationship between two of the male characters doesn’t go too far but it isn’t my favorite aspect of a book for young adults. I realize that many adults read these books as well and it will be no issue for many, but I don’t like it pushed in books for kids. The story flowed well and I think readers that enjoy the Dystopian genre will not want to miss these books.

Skyhunter

Author: Marie Lu

Series: Skyhunter #1

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Release Date: September 29, 2020

A perfect fit in the YA Dystopian category that is Marie Lu at her best! I loved the first series I read by her, and this is going to rank right up at the top!

In the future, the world is a very different place. Strikers are some of the deadliest weapons around with the best fighting skills and loyal to defend Mara, the last free nation left. Talin is a Striker, but also an outcast; she wasn’t born in Mara but fled with her mother after her homeland was invaded. She has no voice after fumes from fires destroyed her vocal cords leaving her to communicate with signs and work to be accepted as a Striker to help destroy the evil Federation who uses mutated humans called Ghosts to win their battles. When Mara captures a changed soldier from the Federation, he turns out to be the answer to their prayers after Talin works to keep him alive and convinces him to work on their side against the Federation. Together they will have to work to try and save them all or die trying.

It has been a while since I have read a great YA/Dystopian that really caught my attention and held it. Marie Lu is great in this genre and really knows how to write in a way that captures readers’ attention and keep it until the very end. It can be hard to write a character that doesn’t speak; Talin lost her ability to speak when she was young and starts communicating through signs. Once she meets Red and has a connection with him, they start communicating through their link and it makes the story flow very smoothly. Each character in this book carries a certain amount of the story and it takes all of them, even the ones that are not very likable, to make the story come together the way it does. The only thing I didn’t like was the few adult themes that I thought weren’t right for a book in the YA section, but they were pretty subtle and not enough for me to not recommend to my kids when they get to the point of reading these books. This is the type of story that I think both girls and boys will enjoy, even though the main character is a female it will appeal to both boys and girls. I recommend this to readers that are fans of Young Adult Dystopian novels with lots of action and drama throughout.

Midnight in Everwood

Author: M. A. Kuzniar

Publisher: HQ

Release Date: October 28, 2021

A wonderful adaption of The Nutcracker with a dark twist that will leave readers on edge throughout the story.

Marietta Stelle lives for the ballet. She has thrown herself into creative dance and has secured herself the lead role in Sleeping Beauty, which will be performed in her family’s ballroom on Christmas Eve. However, neither of her parents are fond of her love for the ballet as they strive for things in life to benefit themselves and elevate their status, so a daughter’s only purpose is the proper arranged marriage. When a new neighbor shows up bearing the name of Dr. Drosselmeier that happens to be an eligible bachelor, her parents find themselves working to set up a marriage for young Marietta. While Marietta is also fascinated with the young doctor, particularly his ability of magic, she soon discovers that not all magic is good. When she escapes Drosselmeier’s grasp through an enchanted grandfather clock, she discovers herself in a new world with new problems that far outweighed any she had faced before.

This was a really fun adaption of the classic The Nutcracker. It takes on more of an adult themed role, not really mature, but just in the way that younger readers wouldn’t understand everything that is going on. It takes a little while to build up the story, but after the first 100 pages or so, it really flies. Marietta has tremendous character growth throughout the book as she realizes that she has led a selfish, entitled life until she discovers herself in Everwood. Captain Legat aka The Nutcracker is far from charming, but the chemistry between the two doesn’t take long to heat up. If you like classic stories with a darker telling, then this is going to be one you will thoroughly enjoy. Sort of like a black swan. There is an implied sex scene as well as hints of other sexuality throughout, but nothing graphic. There is also little to no foul language throughout, which was great. I recommend this to readers who like a new take on a classic story!

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

The Stitchers

Author: Lorien Lawrence

Series: Fright Watch #1

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Release Date: August 3, 2021

A perfect thrilling and creepy read for young fans of Goosebumps that are looking for a fast and menacing story.

Goodie Lane has been the home of “the Oldies” for as long as thirteen-year-old Quinn Parker or anyone else has lived there. The Oldies never seem to age leaving Quinn and her friend to wonder if they are vampires, aliens, or something else supernatural. Quinn and her dad used to come up with theories about ‘the Oldies’ but since he died, she has had to carry on the investigation by herself; that is until her neighbor Mike joins her to solve the mystery. The further into the investigation they get, the more dangerous it becomes as ‘the Oldies’ are onto them and what they are doing.

The Stitchers was not my normal read but my son picked it out, so I wanted to read it before he did. I love being able to do that so we can talk about the books afterwards. I am happy to say that this was a fun read that I know he will also enjoy. The main characters were a perfect blend of fun, energetic, detective skills at just the right point for their age and a storyline that is great for young readers to enjoy. This is the perfect blend of spooky that both kids and adults can enjoy. When I saw the recommendation by Stephen King, I figured it was going to be a good one, and he didn’t lie. This is the start of a new series and I am very curious to see where the story is going to go next; the end of this one tied things up in a great way but did leave me wanting more. I loved the way the author brought together different generations to help the kids solve the mystery, it showed us that we need each other and must work together to make a difference in our area. I was able to read this in a single day and know kids will fly through the pages and enjoy the story within. I recommend this to adults and kids that love a thrilling story like Goosebumps but with nothing to worry about any questionable content.

Rise of the Light Bringer

Authors: Ted Dekker & Rachelle Dekker

Series: And They Found Dragons #3

Publisher: Scripturo

Release Date: November 9, 2021

The final book in the Dragons series goes back to “Old School, Dekker” for me. Still a great read but nothing spectacular.

Jack is fighting to make Earth safe for the rest of his family and crew to come home but finds problems at every turn. The Red dragons are trying to convince him they are the only way to survive while the Silvers try to show him love is the way. All he has been taught growing up will be put to the test in order to save humanity.

Anyone who has ever read anything by Ted Dekker, especially his early works will recognize a lot of the writing in this final story in this series as “classic Dekker.” I call it that because it is nothing new, it is a different character and setting but a lot of the very same imagery as found in his other books. There is a lot of great Christian content in showing that love wins out in the end over fear and if we will look to “Yeshua,” for love and not let the fear of all that is going on in the world take us over we will flourish. At this point in the story I got a little tired of Jack and his wishy-washy attitude. He needed to make up his mind on what he believed and let the story flow in that way, which would have made me as a reader a lot happier with how it played out.

I got this series for my son, and I look forward to the discussions we can have after he reads these. It is appropriate for readers age 9 and up but I believe adults will also enjoy this series as well.

Journey to the Silver Towers

Authors: Ted Dekker & Rachelle Dekker

Series: And They Found Dragons #2

Publisher: Scripturo

Release Date: November 9, 2021

The second book in the And They Found Dragons series picks up where the first left off and continues the adventure readers will enjoy.

After landing on Earth as some of the sole survivors after a nuclear war, Jack now searches for a way to take down the dragons after most of his team died upon arriving. The more Jack explores, the more he discovers things are not as they seem with the dragons and the other humans he finds after arriving on Earth. Those on Earth have been bowing down to the Red dragons and following all they command, especially the take down of the Silver dragons. Jack quickly learns that the Silver dragons are not bad but are the key to helping make Earth safe for everyone to live once again. Now he must convince the others who are blind to the love the Silvers give before it is too late.

This is the second book in the And They Found Dragons series and readers will enjoy the continuation of the adventure. This book looked more like classic ‘Dekker” writing for me. The first started out a little different but this one looked more like the writings of Ted Dekker that I have read for many, many years. Even though this is written by both he and his daughter, I really only see his writing style here. Jack is a great main character and readers will enjoy going on the adventure with him. This is probably my favorite book in the series. The content is just right for young readers, but older readers will get a lot out of this as well with the imagery throughout. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and one I look forward to my son reading and being able to discuss with him.