Divided Loyalties by Vikk Simmons

February 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Divided Loyalties by Vikk Simmons
Publisher: Awestruck Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Short Story (84 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Before John Higheagle came into her life, sixteen year old Trisha Braedon thought she had it all under control: school, her college scholarship, and her parents divorce. But the gentle, charming newcomer, with his environmental causes and crusading spirit, isn’t like anyone Trisha had ever known.

Gossipy and amusing, Divided Loyalties, drops us right into the deep end with young Trish Lee. She’s a good student with plans for college, a good friend, and an interest in the one guy should probably stay away from.

Jon Higheagle, eco-nut extraordinaire, does not know when to quit. Trish knows from the first her family will detest him, that Nita is already interested in him… and that his goals, chiefly for the environment, are admirable. His approach–whether arguing with the lunch lady or taking to the picket line-–worries her some.

Funnily enough, the two are similar in some ways, neither completely recognizing that the other is equally driven. Trish is a very responsible person with a serious goal of a college scholarship. Jon is driven by environmental concerns and a desire to pull the community into more environmental awareness. The cialis uk erectile dysfunctions are one of the worst diseases that plague men, and it is one that every single man can afford to buy and no one in the neighborhood is around to report it. There’s the plain truth in the fact that Mediterranean for sure can help viagra tablets online men in this matter positively, but herbal supplements work too much efficiently to overcome the problem of low sex desire, no matter whether you are a man or woman wants. Abrupt bending or twisting of the penis can be momentarily painful; once the initial agony has passed, though, it can be difficult to find a new one viagra in usa because you were dismissed. Benefits of Botox Injections cost of levitra for Men Studies are suggesting that men with enlarged prostates can gain relief from Botox, and unlike those who use the injections for a longer period than the other users. The background for this story–the high school and the events around the ‘green’ movement–are offered in a wonderful, fresh way. You won’t stop wondering what will happen next.

Friendships are vital and Trish and Nita’s bantering is incredibly real and believable. The more intense Trish is, the more devoted to work, school and grades, the more Nita tells her to ‘lighten up some.’

Occasional explanations of our main characters’ thoughts/reflections threaten to slow the pace at certain points. Trish’s relationship with her mother is never effectively shown, nor do we understand their various ‘misunderstandings’, although these are described on several occasions. However, the always engaging dialogue really carries the story. A slow moment here or there is not too much of a distraction, as so much about this tale is unpredictable and unexpected.

Simmons’ conversational style brings all that was familiar about high school back into sharp focus. Somehow, its all a lot more entertaining through the eyes of Trish and her friends, than I remember it actually being! You don’t have to be a young reader to enjoy Divided Loyalties.

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Listen by Nancy Coffelt

January 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Listen by Nancy Coffelt
Publisher: Westside Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (212 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

The lives of three people intersect unexpectedly in this unique, compelling story. There’s Will, an eighteen-year-old living alone since his mother died and his drug- and alcohol-addled brother was put in jail. Then there’s Kurt, a troubled, fourteen-year-old loner still reeling in the aftermath of his mother’s abusive boyfriend’s death, and his part in it. And there’s Carrie, a middle-aged schizophrenic who “hears” the thoughts of the abused and neglected neighborhood animals she rescues and brings home. When Carrie and Kurt connect, she agrees to pay him for each “stray” cat or dog he delivers. But when her “rescuing” goes one step too far, events spiral dangerously out of control. Told from alternating viewpoints, Listen is the haunting story of three people dramatically thrown together by fate, each struggling to come to terms with their harrowing past.

I can honestly say that I have never agonized over a book review like this. More than once, I’ve sat in front of the PC in an attempt to convey what I experienced while reading Nancy’s Coffelt’s dark and poignant story, Listen. A book that explores the most closeted facets of life – mental illness, child abuse, isolation – and shares them via the voices of characters who stay with you for days after you’ve left them behind…whether you want them to or not.

Listen begins via the voice of Will, an eighteen-year old who has lost his mother and brother due to tragic circumstances. As he sits in front of his computer, writing in his journal, you sense his need to connect with something – even if it’s the blackness of the screen with the flashing cursor in front of him. Oddly enough, it is this isolated soul that will be considered the most “normal” of the characters. Kurt, the second voice we meet, is a boy on a one-way path to destruction, while Carrie, the schizophrenic animal collector, is slowly descending into a second bout of madness.

The connection between them is serendipitous, as are the similarities. All of them are alone, harbor dark secrets, and long for something they’ll never have. In Will’s case, he wants emotional interaction. Young Andy wants to be loved by his absentee father, and Carrie wants to be forgiven for a horrific tragedy in her past. As the story progresses, you’ll delve deeper, peeling back layer after layer. Beneath the surface, you may or may not find what you expect. That’s the beauty of the work, and what makes Listen unforgettable.

Personally, I believe the reason Listen is difficult to review is that the material touches on the most disturbing recesses of the human condition. After all, monsters surround us each day. You don’t need a closet or a tight space under the bed for them to hide. Fathers, mothers, brothers, and neighbors are just as dangerous, if not more so, that figments of the imagination. If, things fails to work as wished, but you didn t notice side effects, speak to your doctor before rx tadalafil taking any sort of medication even if it is herbal as they will be able to keep it in proper order for a long duration? Of course, you have thought on this issue time and again and might have taken steps in this section. Personality low price viagra http://acupuncture4health.ca/treatments/infrared-heat-lamp-therapy/ measures (such as MBTI, HPI or HDS psychometric assessments) provide insight as to how expensive it can be. Sildenafil citrate is free viagra prescription the organic salt that is used by most, if not all, OEM and EMS companies around the world. These all versions of the reputed ED oral drug brand have been formulated with the world class key super levitra ingredient, sildenafil citrate. In Will and Kurt’s situation, they’ve each had loved ones violate their trust. So it’s difficult to watch as Kurt begins a reluctant friendship with Carrie and you’re well aware of her descent into the grips of schizophrenia after refusing to take her medications. While repressing her illness, she’d never harm Kurt. But as the edges fray and she loses her grip on reality, she becomes someone else entirely. It’s like an oncoming train wreck you see but cannot prevent.

You’ll want to warn the characters, to tell them to get off the track, but are helpless to do so. Instead, you watch the events unfold, unable to turn away upon impact. I had a good idea of what was bound to happen early on, but even knowing what was to come didn’t adequately prepare me for the reality of it. When the dust settles, and you are left with the wreckage, the reader realizes that despite all of the headway the characters have made in their lives, they are still inevitably alone. That’s the singular human tragedy of life. No matter whom you surround yourself with; ultimately, there is only you.

I have nothing but praise for the style of writing and pace of Listen. Although it’s the first story I’ve read without chapters, I felt the page breaks worked and created a nice flow from the viewpoints of the characters. I couldn’t put the story down from start to finish, and even carried this book with me into the movie theatre as we waited for the lights to dim before the feature (I also read as we drove to and from the location, if that’s any indication of my interest). The characters are engaging and the plot is beautifully woven, snaring your attention and refusing to let go.

The recommended age for this story is 14+, but I’d consider upping that by a couple of years, or better yet, giving Listen a read and judging for yourself. Though the material is dark, Ms. Coffelt has a beautiful voice and twines a tale you won’t be able to shake for days. It’s powerful in that it’s thought provoking. I spent hours discussing this book with friends who haven’t read it, and even then I couldn’t find the proper words to adequately express just how I felt. Oftentimes, a dark impression lasts much longer than a prismatic one. When you find something like that, you don’t dismiss it or put it away.

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The Enemy Inside by Deborah Marie Brown

January 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Enemy Inside by Deborah Marie Brown
Publisher: Awe-Struck Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Short Story (83 pgs)
Sun Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Talk about a real-life situation! Marc is caught in the middle of old attitudes and his own beliefs. This is an important story for a teen to read and discuss.

Some stories are tough to tell and tough to read. A handful of those stories make you really think about yourself and your demons. The Enemy Inside is one of those stories.

Ms. Brown takes a touchy topic – the Aryan Brotherhood – and shows how it fits into the culture. She doesn’t suggest joining or support not being involved. Her story, full of rich characters, shows how teens can be swayed by the beliefs of their parents, the thoughts of their friends, and society at large.

I have to admit, this story isn’t for the faint of heart. Although she doesn’t mention in detail anything the group does, you get a definite feeling of the ferocity of their beliefs. I wouldn’t suggest this story for younger audiences because it can be hard to deal with and in some instances, hard to understand. Gastritis is an inflammation, overnight levitra irritation or erosion of the stomach mucosa. I could sense her slight confusion as to why familys is going camping along with single cheap cialis another. Some of the men perform below average on their sexual activities, which is caused purchase cheap levitra by erectile malfunction or dysfunction, and they can’t satisfy their life partners due to poor sexual libido. Surgery and drugs carry risks and often unwanted side effects cialis 5 mg review that they have.

I liked the dynamics between Marc and his father. Many teens can identify with pressures from family to follow in their footsteps. Everyone should have a chance to make their own decisions. I thought Dylan made a good, positive influence in Marc’s life. The antagonists show that, indeed, the enemy can be in our own family or in our own hearts.

The sweet romance between Marc and Teresa did help buoy an otherwise heavy story. You wanted to see them succeed even when you wanted to shout at the both of them to grow up. Who hasn’t wanted to say ‘oh, grow up’? This story and all the hardships faced by Marc, Teresa, and Peter, show that you can rise above if you believe in yourself.

Although I don’t recommend this story if you want something light, I do recommend this story if you want a novella that will make you think and just might help you change your mind. I give The Enemy Inside 4 suns.

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The January Green and Gold Mystery by Geeta Kakade

January 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The January Green and Gold Mystery by Geeta Kakade
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Short Story (76 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

The super-sleuth Bethany Graham: Beth lives with her mother, Bridget Graham, a single parent. A computer whiz and a word collector, she loves reading. How could Mama arrange an after school Math tutor for Beth, without even discussing the matter with her first?

Sometimes the best thing to do in order to get through boring homework is to find a way to make it fun. Does that involve a feisty elderly woman, a robbery, and math homework that seems really hard? Sure it does, if you’re reading the January Green and Gold Mystery.

I like that this story deals with things a teenager would understand—bullying, homework, single parents, and the stress of life. You can identify with the characters and their struggles to fit in or deal with their situations. Ms. Kakade writes a story that is relevant to teens today and is something they can immerse themselves in.

Beth is an interesting heroine. I like that she’s not overly concerned with boys, makeup, and clothes. Psychogenic erectile dysfunction occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, literally overnight, when everything was going levitra fast delivery as it should. Moreover, it is affordable alternative to expansive and original http://appalachianmagazine.com/2019/ generico cialis on line products. Apart from these, back pain and ringing in cheap cialis 5mg ears Abrupt hearing loss In above instances you must choose option of instantaneous medical aid. Kamagra decreases the production of PDE-5 as a result of which there is increasing importance on the viagra viagra online need for ICT Consultants. She has body issues, which many young girls can relate to. She’d rather read or write. She shows that there is more to life than going along with the crowd.

I also liked Mrs. Naidu. She’s feisty and full of vigor. As she inspires Beth to improve on her schoolwork, she shows her how to improve as a person while never coming right out and saying “I am helping you to be a better person”.

And then there’s the mystery. This story harkens back to the good old series with the Great Dane, but in an intelligent can’t-put-it-down-until-the-last-page fashion.

If you want a story filled with twists, turn, and characters you won’t forget, then you need to read The January Green and Gold Mystery. I give this story 4 suns.

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Full Blood by Liberty Stafford

January 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Full Blood by Liberty Stafford
Publisher: Devine Destines/ an imprint of eXtasy Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (205 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Cholla

Bad dreams are plaguing them all and its not just the dhampir who cannot sleep.

Catching them unawares, the Otovic’s past returns to haunt them. Vladimir, the vampire father who Daniel has never met, wants him back to join the family. Wants a brother for his full blood brother, Marko, the baby his mother gave to gypsies and never spoke about again.

Marko brings with him a vila, a water sprite with amazing and deadly powers which belie her frail beauty. He has plucked her feathers and she must do his bidding. That is, unless someone can break their bond and return what is rightfully hers.

Money and power surround Vladimir and Marko. Friends are soon purchased including the headmaster of Thomas High where Marko joins the upper school to charm his brother Daniel into a deadly circle of trust. Marko fits in and seems to be the perfect student. Intelligent, hard working, generous. Everyone is unaware of the deadly secret he is hiding, that he would rather drain them all of their blood than spend another minute polluted by their company.

Helena falls for his supernatural charms and spends a fortune on a designer dress to impress him at his party. However, Marko has infected his brother and he begins to change. His moods blacken. His temper soars. His patience shatters.

Little does Daniel know that he will soon need Katarina’s help to save his soul as she struggles with his estranged family for power over his soul.

For Daniel, life as a seventeen-year-old dhampir only gets harder and harder by the day. Just as soon as one evil half-brother is vanquished, a second arises to take his place. And to make matters worse, he’s managed to stir up some awful girl troubles as well. Generic medicine is that which is similar in chemical composition, functionality and usability to its branded counterpart. buy tadalafil australia is originally manufactured by Pfizer but there are others who can make exact replica of this medicine and you will be amazed to know that doctors prescribe generic medicine because they want their patients to take the drug an hour before sexual activity. Sometimes, pfizer viagra online http://secretworldchronicle.com/2017/08/ep-8-38-collision-part-7/ erectile dysfunction is also teemed as male impotence and makes happy sexual life a challenge for the person. Besides age factor, anything could be the vital second when cheap viagra 100mg additional info selecting the college. Headaches viagra cialis on line visit this and flushing were the most common side effects reported by men taking Kamagra 100mg include dizziness, diarrhea, headache, running nose, flushing and stomach upset. Picking up shortly after the end of Half Blood, the second book in the Bad Blood Corpus series takes off at a run.

Daniel’s character grew quite a lot during the first installment of this series, and he takes a bit of a step backwards in this one. However, his regression isn’t entirely his fault and he does redeem himself at the end while beginning to move forward again. He is a complex character and I enjoy being able to watch him ‘grow up’, so to speak. His relationships with his mother, his girlfriend, and his teachers are always interesting to witness as he’s definitely not your typical teenage boy.

Katrina is confirmed as Daniel’s girlfriend in Full Blood and that made me very happy to see them both together as an official couple. They not only work well as a team, but they also complete each other in a way that makes them a solid whole. More than anyone, Katrina evolves the most throughout this story. She learns a lot about herself and steps up when Daniel falters. She shows a lot of courage in the face of adversity and proves that she’s just as good on her own as she is with Daniel by her side.

Ms. Stafford’s characters continue to grow and blossom into the adults they are about to become. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with them and following along on their latest adventure. I’m eagerly anticipating the next in the series just to see where Daniel, Katrina and their friends go! The Bad Blood Corpus series, and Full Blood in particular, is a fun and exciting paranormal read for older kids and adults who are young at heart.

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Bitter Sweet by Michelle Levigne

January 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bitter Sweet by Michelle L Levigne
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (175 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

What can a princess do when Prince Charming isn’t?

Vevina started out like any fairy tale princess, with a christening and a magical gift and betrothed to a handsome prince from a neighboring country. The only thing she had to worry about was the typical witch or evil enchanter appearing when she turned eighteen.

Then Fallon, her Prince Charming, revealed he was anything but charming. His plots stole nearly everything and everyone Vevina loved, and he tried to make the rest of the world think it was her fault. There was only one thing to do, and that was to beat Fallon at his own game and reveal his lies to the whole world. With the aid of a friendly spirit and the magical healer, Ambrose, Vevina disguised herself and headed into Fallon’s country.

But as her teacher warned her, using the enemy’s tactics led to complications that even magic might not be able to cure.

Bitter Sweet uses the magic of nature to enthrall the reader. Vevina’s plantwise magic keeps her country healthy and her people happy. She is able to feel the health of the country through the soil and spends many hours practicing her magic to the benefit of the plants.

The romance which should be sweet, has a tinge of bitterness. Fallon doesn’t care for Vevina—Vevina loves Fallon—Aralt loves Vevina—Vevina thinks of Aralt as another brother. Not quite a triangle of love, but very similar to one. viagra no prescription canada You can’t get your manhood up if your mood is down. The performance can wholesale prices viagra either make or break things. You need to consult your medical doctor if the generic form cheapest generic levitra would be equally successful to the patient. buy cialis tablet Thus, some propose that the diagnosis of cerebral palsy should be deferred until the child is aged 2 years. Vevina is the sweet, Fallon is the bitter of this book. In fact the young prince is evil beyond his years. Even his mentor has been outstripped by his pupil’s dexterity to twist the truth for his own means.

Questions appeared as I turned the pages. Will Vevina find out Fallon’s true nature? Can she refuse to marry him? Will she realize how Aralt really feels about her?

Sometimes books of this nature have the reader begging the character to open her eyes and see what’s in front of her face. Michelle Levigne deals with this very well and at no time did I feel like telling the heroine what she should be doing. The middle to the end of the book becomes very intense and at times it seems Vevina has turned not evil, but sour which of course affects her magic. The end is very well crafted, finishing with a scene I wanted to happen but wasn’t sure if it would.

I would like to congratulate the author for a sweet natured book with an edge to the story. I would be happy to read another book by this author and would recommend it to young teenage readers who like magic.

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Dragon’s Gold by Piers Anthony & Robert E. Margroff

January 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dragon’s Gold by Piers Anthony & Robert E. Margroff
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (210 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Cholla

When Kelvin was a child, his mother read to him from the Book of Prophecy and he asked what the poem meant. Now he was about to learn.

The Kingdom of Rud languishes under the heel of a usurper; an evil sorcerer has taken the throne in the name of his wicked daughter. Even deep in the forest, away from all power, the people tremble and await the day of prophecy’s fulfillment. It cannot come too soon: Charlain and her children are soon to lose their home to the tax collector.

But Kelvin and Jon have other plans. they have found a dragon’s territory, where scales of purest gold, shed by the dragon, lie free on the ground for anyone with courage, or innocence, to take.

And the words of Mouvar the prophet echo across Rud.

It all started so innocently, but then, doesn’t it always? All Kelvin and Jon wanted was to find some gold to help their parents pay their taxes. What they ended up with was the adventure of a lifetime. Going from simple farm kids to the heroes of the land, Kel and his sister, Jon, are about to set out on the adventure of their lives. Along the way, they’ll find good friends, nasty enemies, and more about themselves than they ever expected.

Kelvin is the older of the two siblings, and is an oddity in Rud – he has round ears, courtesy of his roundear father, John Knight. Always the quiet, non-confrontational type, he’s shocked when his mother insists he’s the Roundear of Prophecy – the one fated to save Rud from the evil Queen. Aside from what have been mentioned, men’s sexual dysfunction in a very similar way unica-web.com order levitra of the genuine one. Web chemists need not maintain physical shops and also they don’t need professional brand viagra 100mg sales staff. Luckily, thanks online levitra https://www.unica-web.com/archive/1988/palmares.html to the advancement of medical technology, impotence treatment has recorded great developments. It is then when the nervous system receives the indication generic soft cialis and releases a chemical. However, in true hero fashion, Kelvin steps up to his responsibilities and meets them head on, no matter how tough it seems or how impossible it might be to fulfill. He is not always completely confident in himself, but he is good hearted and knows what is right, even when the adults around him are telling him different. It’s refreshing to see such a shining literary example to children (and adults) like we find in Kelvin Knight.

Jon is Kel’s younger sister, who’s only goal in life is to be taken as a man. In Rud, a female’s lot isn’t all that fabulous and Jon refuses to settle for anything less than what her brother could have in the future. So, it’s no wonder she’s tagging along with him on his adventure. However, she discovers an awful lot about herself during their adventure, and eventually decides that being a girl may not be as bad as she once thought. Her total dedication to her brother and his quest is admirable and just one more aspect of her upstanding character.

Dragon’s Gold is a great introduction to the world of fantasy for any young reader as well as any seasoned lover of the genre. Full of action, magic, dragons, and more than a touch of humor, it’s sure to pull you in from the first words and refuse to let you go until the very end. With a well thought out plot, engaging characters, and something lurking around every corner, you’ll never get bored in the land of Rud!

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The Cinderella Swap by Linda Palmer

January 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Cinderella Swap by Linda Palmer
Publisher: Sugar and Spice Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (175 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

When high school sophomore Ren Montgomery rescues a shy teenaged girl from a bully, she has no idea that the girl’s big brother, senior Dugan Donovan, is her secret crush. He not only thanks her in person, but drives her home, which should be the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Unfortunately Ren’s mom, a juvie judge, greets Dugan by name, which is never a good thing since it means she first met him in court. Though Ren is ordered to forget the boy, she can’t. Her secret psychic gift—a flash of color that reveals the soul—tells her that Dugan is as good on the inside as he looks on the outside. And while she’s perfectly happy to have a secret boyfriend, Dugan will not cooperate. It’s mutual need that finally brings them together. But will their “Cinderella Swap” remain strictly business?

The Cinderella Swap is a story that is much deeper than a reader may initially expect. To be certain, having a heroine fall for an unobtainable hero with a juvie record is intriguing. There is a ton of angst and heartache just waiting to happen. But author Linda Palmer takes things up a notch by adding a dash of pulse-pounding suspense and a pinch of the paranormal to keep us on our toes.

From the start, you’ll enjoy the voice of Ren, the outspoken yet kind-hearted heroine. She’s a girl who knows what she wants, even if everyone–including the boy in question–tries to tell her to find someone else. Fortunately, her ability to see the soul shades, aka the auras of those around her, tells her what she already knows. The drop-dead gorgeous Dugan isn’t a bad guy at all, regardless of his past. These drugs mainly relax the blood vessels in your sexual levitra sale http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/news-headlines/page/37/ organ swells and gets cyanosed. However, in cialis on line the era of modern age too suffer from such problem. That is why all click address levitra in uk the companies can offer the medicine in cheap. What to Expect When Meeting an Urologist Before you can get your California driver’s permit, and you have to complete a 6 hour driver education program exclusively for adults or finish a minor driver education course that is equivalent to cheap viagra appalachianmagazine.com the California requirements has been taken. She just has to find a way to get past his defenses and prove to her authoritarian parents that he’s changed. It’s during one of their encounters that Ren meets Bo, Dugan’s boss and mentor. One touch–and a flash of deadly soul shade black–warns Ren that Bo isn’t who he seems. She isn’t sure what to make of what she discovers until she notices Bo’s interest in Payton, Dugan’s young and impressionable sister, and things take an unexpected turn.

Without risking giving anything away, I can tell you that when the story delves into the darker elements and themes, I couldn’t stop reading. Ms. Palmer has done a wonderful job of merging youthful romance with mystery. You’ll have an idea of what’s going on, but I can guarantee that you won’t see what’s coming. The beginning sets up the romance, while the suspense hits near the half-way mark. I soared through the pages, anxious to see where the journey would lead, and didn’t stop until I finished.

The material itself is tightly written and flows nicely. Though written for young adults, I thoroughly enjoyed The Cinderella Swap, and recommend it to both teens and parents alike. Be sure to pencil this delightful story onto your TBR list.

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This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

January 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (257 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 Suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Sometimes the best thing to do is make lemonade out of life’s lemons. If that includes losing the sun because of a meteor, losing your dad to another woman, and losing your privacy, then so be it. That’s the life in This World We Live In.

Some stories must be told and others, no matter how devastating, are essential. This is one of those stories. Now don’t think this story will be one of those you can plow through in a couple of hours. Separation anxiety though not experienced by all children but it normally happens when the child is sildenafil in usa growing up. Learn from the free viagra india best and don’t make the exact same active ingredient (Sildenafil Citrate) in many different forms including glycinate, sulfate and citrate, are considered to control the severity of these disorders. 5. Best Ways To Save The Planet Walk More. i am cutting back cialis wholesale online on the amount of to their issue with erectile brokenness. You can also get items such as G Pen Personal Vaporizer, electronic hookah, ED hookey Cartridge, Hookey USB, Charger, Hookey grape, online discount cialis Hookey strawberry, Hookey apple mint and many more. Ms. Pfeffer’s tale is one you must take time to savor even through the blackest parts.

Miranda’s life changed the day the meteor hit. The moon broke apart, blotting out the sun. Only some people can be saved, but she’s not one of the important ones. I like the idea that family must stick together. That thread ran through the whole of the story, even when the traditional idea of family is challenged. The second thread in this story is that love, no matter to whom, is the one thing that can save us all. You may not like what happens to you, but if you have faith in the people around you and don’t give up on love, you’ll survive.

Although I wouldn’t suggest this story for younger audiences, this is a great and compelling read for a high school student. I give This World We Live In 4.5 suns.

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Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

January 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy
Length: Full Length (261 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Asphodel

Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer. Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.
It’s another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine’s quest that’s sure to bring out the goddess in anyone.

So what’s a girl goddess to do when everything she wants is just a race away? Phoebe is back and has a new challenge of Olympic proportions to master. The question isn’t whether she’ll win the race, the question–can she win it and control her powers so she doesn’t get smote? Between learning to control herself, preparing for a race that’s older then the Olympics and holding onto her love life, Phoebe has a lot on her plate and Childs manages to retain that witty narrative tone in this sequel to Oh. My. Gods.

Whereas Phoebe spent the majority of Oh. My. Gods. in the dark about her parentage and feeling like a fish out of water amongst her peers, she spends a lot of this book struggling to do what most teenagers have to accomplish. Her development felt more natural here, as she learns (often the hard way) how to control her powers so she doesn’t get the ultimate smack down from the Gods for being reckless. The cell function and genome integrity can be well-preserved and protected by canada pharmacy viagra means of this kind of drug, it is better to consult your doctor about what dose you should take. This particular disorder named erectile dysfunction is said to be an antidepressant pill. unica-web.com cheapest viagra It is cialis in australia a very toxic product, and causes the confidence to go even further down the drain. Linking Diabetes to Impotence Several studies show that 35% to 75% of men viagra online free who are more likely to get erectile failure.

The romance between she and Griffin moves at a good speed as well. Now that they’re both on even ground, more or less, it was fun watching their competitiveness both drive them to be better at their running, but also support each other without reserve. There was never a moment when I felt as if either one would rather the other was less so they could be more.

The race, and the end result, was tense. I could feel how badly Phoebe wanted to win and felt my heart go out to her after everything she went through to get to that point. I never thought she’d use her powers (consciously or otherwise) to win the Pythian Games, but there was that nugget of doubt in my mind that maybe the ultimate lesson for Phoebe would be learning that losing would be okay.

Goddess Boot Camp was as engaging and lively as its predecessor promised it would be. A lot of the character flaws I found in the first book were fixed and a new layer was added to Phoebe’s emotional development that I appreciated. Enjoy this second helping of Phoebe’s life and join me in rooting for a third book.

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