The Secret Kiss of Darkness by Christina Courtenay

July 11, 2014 By 1 Comment

KISS
The Secret Kiss of Darkness by Christina Courtenay
Publisher: Choc Lit Limited
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (317 pages)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Must forbidden love end in heartbreak?

Kayla Sinclair knows she’s in big trouble when she almost bankrupts herself to buy a life-size portrait of a mysterious eighteenth century man at an auction.

Jago Kerswell, inn-keeper and smuggler, knows there is danger in those stolen moments with Lady Eliza Marcombe, but he’ll take any risk to be with her.
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Over two centuries separate Kayla and Jago, but when Kayla’s jealous fiancé presents her with an ultimatum, and Jago and Eliza’s affair is tragically discovered, their lives become inextricably linked thanks to a gypsy’s spell. Kayla finds herself on a quest that could heal the past, but what she cannot foresee is the danger in her own future.

Will Kayla find heartache or happiness?

Kayla is happy in her job, about to be married to her boss and loved by her family. What more did she need? Life changed when her Aunt leaves her a legacy and Kayla buys a painting. Her fiancé is not amused and their engagement ends. Even more frightening, the man in the painting begins to talk to her.

Jago, the smuggler, and Lady Eliza fall in love but the lady is married to Jago’s half brother, the lord of the manor. After the birth of her son, Eliza dies but Jago vows to join her in eternity. During their affair they are painted individually by Thomas Gainsborough and yes, this is the painting Kayla buys. The portrait of Jago.

The one time smuggler asks Kayla to find the painting of Eliza so the lovers may be together. She can’t resist the temptation and with Jago giving her clues she follows the trail to the old manor house. Here she meets Wes and his daughter Nell, descendants of Eliza.

I loved this book. At first I thought it would be another time travel or love across the ages, but the neat seams between the past and the present, the story of Jago and Eliza entwined with Kayla’s life in the present – all this kept me reading avidly from beginning to end.

I have to admit I originally started reading this book because I like Choc Lit books, but in future I will also look out for more books by Christina Courtenay. She has the ability to draw me into the story and keep me there, eagerly awaiting the next chapter and following the lives of people many years apart. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Loved it.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Blackout by Madeleine Henry

July 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

OUT
Blackout by Madeleine Henry
Publisher: New Heroes Media
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (118 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

One wall divides life from darkness. After the worldwide Blackout, America built a concrete wall—the Frontier—across the middle of the nation to isolate its precious electricity in the top half. Everyone below the Frontier was forsaken, and now only a few survive in the grim region known as the Dark Zone.

Sixteen year old Phoenix Troublefield endures the dark with his girlfriend, Star Windsong. When America announces that it will trade electricity for immigrants, Phoenix and Star sacrifice themselves for the power that might save her younger brother. On the other side of the Frontier, they find America is not what they expected, and instead they are thrown into a shocking and deeply personal contest that threatens to destroy their love. When the chance comes to escape back into the Dark Zone, it may already be too late.

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This is one of the most richly detailed stories I’ve read so far this year. The world these characters live in is cold, dark, and rapidly decaying. Danger lurks around every corner, and I felt its stale breath on the back of my neck as I watched Phoenix and his community struggle to survive.

While I understand that this is the first book in a new series, so much time was spent describing the place where Phoenix grew up and the members of the other families who live nearby that his actual journey to America felt rushed. If the page count were twice as long this introduction would have been perfect. As it was written, the pacing was slow in the beginning and rushed over the course of the last few chapters.

Phoenix’s unusual relationship with his parents piqued my curiosity. I can’t say too much about it without wandering into spoiler territory, but he has much more freedom than most teens his age. How he responds to this arrangement reveals a lot about his strengths and weaknesses. I didn’t always like his choices, but knowing about the unique environment he grew up in helped me to understand why he picked them.

I would have also liked to see more time spent developing Star’s personality. She has an incredibly amount of empathy for other people, but I had trouble getting to know her as an individual because Phoenix only ever describes her in glowing terms. Even the kindest person in the world will eventually have a bad day, and I would have liked to see how she reacts when she’s angry, scared, or overwhelmed with life.

The science fiction elements of this tale are much stronger than the romantic ones, but the romance blends in well with everything else that’s going on. Phoenix and his girlfriend are a few years older than the age recommendation listed above. This is their first taste of love, though, and how they react to it is something that I suspect will be just as appealing to somewhat younger readers.

Give Blackout a try if you’re a fan of young adult dystopian fiction. It’s solid premise and surprising plot twists make it a good choice for anyone who likes this genre.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The City of the Broken by Ceri Benyon

July 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CITY
The City of the Broken by Ceri Benyon
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (202 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Seren Loneheart falls in love for the very first time with a boy who has a dark secret. She soon discovers he is a prince who rules over The City of the Broken, which has a population of heartbroken and outcast people. He informs her that he wants her to become a citizen of his city as he believes her to be lonely and unhappy ,but much to Seren’s delight he also wants to be her boyfriend as well.

The pair embark on a dark fairytale romance that results in Seren finding happiness for the first time in her life, but Calix informs her that she needs to remain ‘broken’ to be his girlfriend.

Can these young lovers survive all this turmoil that threatens both their relationship and Calix’s crown? Will Seren succeed in healing Calix’s heart and ending his determination to remain unhappy for the sake of duty?

Love is powerful, but it can’t fix everything. So why does Seren still feel obligated to change herself to better suit her boyfriend’s needs?
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A good fantasy novel says as much about the real world as it does about the ones that only exist between its pages, The City of the Broken reminded me of all of the incredible men and women I’ve known who’ve risen above terrible experiences. Purposefully gathering together an entire city filled with broken people is an intriguing concept, and as soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to find out what happens next.

When a character experienced something scary or new in this universe, the text told me what they were feeling instead of allowing their body language or dialogue to subtly reveal their emotions. This happened so often that I had trouble connecting to Seren in particular when even more surprising things popped up in their lives because I never quite felt like I got to know her as a unique individual.

I have a lot of sympathy for Seren. She is a vulnerable soul who so desperately wants to be loved that she’s willing to accept it from anyone who will give it to her. I would have loved to have more background information on her. It seemed odd to me that a teenage girl could spend so much time away from her home in this universe without anyone noticing she was missing. The handful of clues that were provided about her life were interesting, though, and helped to explain her low self-esteem and as well as her lack of adult supervision if my theory about what they are hinting at is correct.

There were many grammar and punctuation errors in this story. Some sentences didn’t have any punctuation marks at all. This made it difficult to figure out where one idea or description ended and the next one began. The author’s heavy use of sentence fragments was also confusing.

Strong pacing kept me engaged in the plot from beginning to end. It begins with Seren and Calix’s first meeting, so everything I learned about these characters happened at the same time that everything else was going on. Even though this was a full-length work, it felt like a novella in certain ways due to how quickly the main conflicts show up. Moving everything along so quickly was a good choice!

By far my biggest concern about this book, though, is how the relationship between Calix and Seren develops. Calix isolates her from other people, pushes her to get serious with him right away, and manipulates her when she attempts to make her own decisions. These can all be signs of an abusive relationship, so it was surprising to see the text treat them as romantic gestures. I understand why Seren would initially be wooed by his attention, but I was disappointed by the fact that no one acknowledged his inappropriate expectations of her.

I did enjoy the descriptions of Calix’s city. They often felt like they came from a gritty fairy tale that was never sanitized by The Brothers Grimm. The best scenes are the ones that describe all of the rooms in his castle, especially the black ballroom. It sounded like it would be a hauntingly beautiful place to see in person.

Despite its flaws, The City of the Broken was an interesting look at how our society treats people who aren’t easy to love. I’d recommend it as a cautionary tale to mature teens who are prepared for its occasionally disturbing content.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

By Force by Sara Hubbard

June 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FORCE
By Force by Sara Hubbard
Forever Fae #1
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: Full Length (218 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Kidnapping Isame would set them free…

Isame wanted freedom: the freedom to travel, the freedom to explore, but most of all, the freedom to choose the life she wanted over the life—and the husband—her parents had chosen for her. But when Isame leaves home to accept another man’s proposal, she happens across five fierce, handsome warriors. She wonders why they’ve travelled so far from home, but she never imagines their purpose might have something to do with her. Not even after they kidnap her.

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Isame doesn’t want to stay in the village and marry the man her parents have chosen for her. She wants her freedom to travel, see other lands, and find her own love. But she has no choice…

Stories about the fae always draw me in but the arranged marriage theme also does. It’s hard enough to stay married to someone when you love them, who wants to be given in marriage to someone you don’t even know? Ms. Hubbard has a smooth writing style that draws you into the story and she gives you tidbits of information as you go along.

You know Isame is different because she heals quickly, too quickly to be human. However, she certainly didn’t expect to get kidnapped by the King’s Warriors. She’s going to get to see different lands and travel great distances but it won’t be as a free woman.

She tries to gain sympathy from her captors by telling them about her life. She gets mostly silence but she keeps trying. Eventually, one of them talks to her and tells her a little about their lives. As they keep travelling the relationship between them begins to change and they start to become friends instead of fiends. There is a bad apple in the bunch, though.

You can tell from what’s said and what’s not that the King wants her for nefarious purposes. The Warriors are not really comfortable with that. If that’s not enough danger in her life, the bad Warrior has been killed for attacking her, but he returns. The reason he returns has to do with her and he’s coming after her.

There’s plenty of excitement while the Warriors and Isame try to find the gypsy woman who wouldn’t share her fortune with her, the bad Warrior is after her, and the King is beginning to wonder why it’s taking them so long to get home.

The ending is magnificent and totally unexpected. This is the first in a new series so you know there will be more to come and I, for one, am glad to see that. There’s a romance blooming and I’m hoping it will be a happy ever after for both of them. Ms. Hubbard has me hooked.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter: A Novel of Elizabeth I by Anne Clinard Barnhill

June 5, 2014 By 1 Comment

DAUGHTER
Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter: A Novel of Elizabeth I by Anne Clinard Barnhill
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (365 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

From the author of At the Mercy of the Queen comes the gripping tale of Mary Shelton, Elizabeth I’s young cousin and ward, set against the glittering backdrop of the Elizabethan court.

Mistress Mary Shelton is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite ward, enjoying every privilege the position affords. The queen loves Mary like a daughter, and, like any good mother, she wants her to make a powerful match. The most likely prospect: Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. But while Oxford seems to be everything the queen admires: clever, polished and wealthy, Mary knows him to be lecherous, cruel, and full of treachery. No matter how hard the queen tries to push her into his arms, Mary refuses.
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Instead, Mary falls in love with a man who is completely unsuitable. Sir John Skydemore is a minor knight with little money, a widower with five children. Worst of all, he’s a Catholic at a time when Catholic plots against Elizabeth are rampant. The queen forbids Mary to wed the man she loves. When the young woman, who is the queen’s own flesh and blood, defies her, the couple finds their very lives in danger as Elizabeth’s wrath knows no bounds.

The author weaved fact and fiction, blending it seamlessly to create one truly entertaining story. The fact that the story was based around Queen Elizabeth I was what initially intrigued me, and I must say I was not disappointed.

Mary is the queen’s ward from a young age, and as such the Queen has raised her as if she was her own child. From the very beginning I was interested and entertained by Mary. She clearly lived a life of privilege, and had no real idea of what commoners were experiencing during this period, yet she never seemed to forget how lucky she was to be viewed as one of the Queen’s favored. Though she may not always agree with the Queen, it is clear her love for her never truly waivers.

Sir John, on the other hand, had lived the life of a commoner. While he was not poor he knew what life struggles are about, especially when left a widower with five children. Yet, he still sees what even the Queen can recognize: Mary is someone special who should be cherished. When she starts to show him favor it is clear he does not take that attention lightly and will do whatever it takes to win her heart and keep her safe above all others.

The love story is entertaining in this, but it more of a coming of age story than a romance. Mary and her relationships, including the ones with the Queen, Sir John and other suitors is a key in the plot. While this only follows a few short years in Mary’s life, it is clear these are the most influential years in her life. It also gave me a glimpse of the time in which Mary lived.

This story has some historically accurate portrayals including people and events. Religion during this period is a driving force behind many in the story, and plays a key role in everyone including Mary’s life. I really enjoyed that the author really tried to keep the story as accurate as possible while still entertaining. I could tell from the very beginning that some of the events took place, even if the timeframes may have changed a bit to make it more entertaining. I has truly impressed by the amount of knowledge the author was able to incorporate, and it left me wanting more. While I have not read the author’s previous story about this time period I most certainly plan on picking it up. This is a story I believe anyone would enjoy no matter if they enjoy history or just want an entertaining story.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Early Daze by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

June 2, 2014 By 2 Comments

DAZE
Early Daze by Jennifer Gilby Roberts
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (73 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Life has always gone smoothly for Jess, but then she got pregnant and it wasn’t just her breakfast that started going down the pan. And now her baby has “fallen out” before she’s even started anti-natal classes.

Suddenly she’s sucked into the bubble of the Neonatal Unit, where tensions run high and the real world feels very far away. She’s got a new home, new routines, new friends and even a new crush – and sleep deprivation, stress and separation are threatening to tear her neat little world apart.

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Some people say that adversity makes you stronger, but Jess isn’t so sure about that. Even the toughest person will eventually crack if they’re subjected to too much pressure.

The character development in this novella is phenomenal. When I first met Jess she was still reeling from the unexpected delivery of her very premature daughter. She was understandably quite traumatized by this experience, and for the first few chapters most of Jess’ personality is revealed by well she does (and does not) cope with the various health problems her baby faces.

What really impressed me, though, was what happens once Jess adjusts to her new routine. As glimpses of the sheltered but ultimately kind-hearted woman she once was begin to surface I couldn’t help but to wish she were a real person. Jess has more than her fair share of a few faults, but she’s not afraid to own up to them when they bring out her dark side.

A strong supporting cast of secondary characters rounded out the rest of the plot. It’s difficult to discuss the other parents Jess meets who are visiting their own sick babies without giving away spoilers, but their backstories are incredibly well done. Such a diverse cast of characters probably wouldn’t have gotten to know one another under normal circumstances, yet their differences are overshadowed by this painful experience that all of them now share.

I never would have thought to include a love triangle in a tale about a woman whose baby was born several months early, but for this particular piece it works really well. Sometimes crushes develop at inopportune times. What happens after this subplot heats up is a big part of the reason why I gave this story such a high rating.

I was so mesmerized by Early Daze that I read the whole thing in one sitting. It’s something I will be passing on to everyone I know who has a seriously ill loved one. The emotions in this story transcend the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experience, and I will just as heartily recommend it to anyone with even a fleeting interest in what it’s like for a family to deal with a life-threatening event.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Miss Darcy Decides by Reina M. Williams

May 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DARCY
Miss Darcy Decides by Reina M. Williams
A Pride and Prejudice Novella-Love at Pemberley Book 2
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (78 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

While visiting a young woman—who was not so fortunate as Miss Georgiana Darcy in escaping the persuasions of a rogue—Georgiana meets Sir Camden Sutton, whose reputation causes Georgiana to wonder as to his motives. Her wondering soon turns to a different feeling when Sir Camden comes to stay at Pemberley, showing himself to be a very different man than was rumored. While Sir Camden struggles with his past and his commitment to his future, as well as the ill intentions of haughty Caroline Bingley, Miss Darcy must decide whether to listen to others, or the words written on her heart.

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Georgiana made a mistake in the past by nearly falling prey to Wickham’s advances. The experience definitely left a mark on Georgiana, and she is determined not to make the same mistake again. Georgiana could have let anger and bitterness consume her, but Georgiana has chosen a different path. She isn’t actively seeking out romance, but I like that she hasn’t closed herself off from the possibility of falling in love either. What makes Georgiana even more likable is the fact that she cares deeply for all her friends and family. Her concern for Lizzy and her unborn child is particularly touching.

When Sir Camden enters her life, Georgiana is understandably skeptical. His reputation is definitely tarnished. However, I am pleased to note that Georgiana is a smart woman who thinks for herself. She doesn’t blindly accept gossip. She gives Camden a chance to prove what kind of man he is before making up her mind about him.

Ms. Williams paced the relationship between Georgiana and Camden very well. Camden and Georgiana first became friends, but it wasn’t long until they found themselves falling in love. Their interactions always felt very natural and relaxed, even with Georgiana’s protective big brother, Mr. Darcy, scowling at them on occasion.

I do think that the problem involving Caroline Bingley was resolved too quickly. Caroline certainly has the potential to cause a lot of problems for Camden and Georgiana, but the whole thing was resolved in just a few paragraphs. If that complication had been teased out a bit more, it would have added just a dash of suspense to the tale.

I truly enjoyed reading Miss Darcy Decides. Georgiana is a lovely young woman, and she and Camden make a great couple. It was a pleasure watching their romance bloom. Fans of sweet historical romance should certainly give Miss Darcy Decides a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

He’s My Husky by Sherry Gloag

May 26, 2014 By 2 Comments

HUSKY
He’s My Husky by Sherry Gloag
Publisher: EsKape Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (59 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

All her life, Emma has shared a special affinity with dogs, communicated with them in an extraordinary way. A bond it seemed her son would share when an aging husky took on the role of his protector. But it’s been six months since Shane last had a dog in his life. With each day that passes, Emma grows increasingly anxious. While she doesn’t understand why, she knows it has something to do with the lack of a dog as Shane’s guardian. She certainly didn’t expect Shane’s absentee father to return and solve the problem.

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It definitely isn’t easy to be a single mother, but Emma has poured every ounce of her energy into giving her son a happy home. The strong, loving bond that formed between them as a result of her decision to put his needs first shines through every scene. Seeing Emma in this light made me like her even more than I did originally due to how it explains certain decisions that she’s made with his best interests at heart.

The romantic subplot felt rushed due to everything that was revealed about the characters involved in it. While I do think that they would make a good couple in the future, pushing them into a relationship so rapidly didn’t mesh well with everything else I figured out about their personalities, habits, and earlier experiences. Everything else in the plot was evenly paced, but this part of their lives could have benefitted from the inclusion of a few more chapters.

By far my favorite scenes in this tale involve Emma’s descriptions of all of the dogs who have shared her home over the years. Her memories of them help to round out her personality as well as provide a few smiles as she discusses the circumstances that lead each pet to her. Knowing what the lives of her dogs were like before Emma took them added even more nuances to her personality and made me wish I could know everything about that part of her life.

He’s My Husky can easily be read in one sitting. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction romances that have realistic, contemporary settings.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lily’s Enchantment by Kristin Noone

May 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

LILY
Lily’s Enchantment by Kristin Noone
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (28 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

It’s not easy to be a good sorceress and a single mother. It’s even harder, though, when she’s called upon to save a dying king and face down a dragon—a dragon who might be part of her past. And to make the fairy tale even more complicated, the king’s illegitimate older brother has beautiful eyes, a reputation for deadly ruthlessness, and a surprising talent for comforting babies–and maybe for enticing Lily as well.

Few things are more unexpected than a sharp knock at the front door in the middle of a rainstorm. Will what Lily finds behind it change her destiny?
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Lily’s resourcefulness and willingness to do anything to take care of her baby is admirable. Her self-consciousness gives depth to her personality and made me hope she could find the happy ending that has eluded her for so long. She’s not a perfect person by any means, but her flaws made me like her even more.

The rules in this universe were a little difficult to figure out. Early on in the plot readers are given certain pieces of information that are later contradicted without any explanation as to why the rules have changed so suddenly. It would have been helpful to have a few more clues about what might have caused these things to occur. There were a few instances in which I thought I’d have confirmation of the theory I came up with to explain this, but I was never quite sure if my solution was the one the author intended to convey.

This story has the timeless feel of a traditional fairy tale. Ms. Noone is clearly well-versed in the genre, and her attention to detail shines through from the very first paragraph. The most interesting passages were the ones that described how this society works. Every kingdom has its own set of unwritten assumptions about how commoners and royalty should behave, and I had fun piecing together what it might be like to live in this one.

I smiled while I read Lily’s Enchantment. It’s a good choice for anyone looking for a gentle romance set in a land far, far away.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

May 5, 2014 By 2 Comments

INN
Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay
Publisher: Forever (Hachette Book Group)
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (328 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Jenny Carpenter is the unrivaled pie-baking champion of Last Chance, South Carolina’s annual Watermelon Festival and the town’s unofficial spinster. With her dream of marriage and children on hold, she focuses on another dream, turning the local haunted house into a charming bed-and-breakfast. But her plans go off course when the home’s former owner shows up on her doorstep on a dark and stormy night . . .
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Mega-bestselling horror writer Gabriel Raintree is as mysterious and tortured as his heroes. His family’s long-deserted mansion is just the inspiration he needs to finish his latest twisted tale, or so he thinks until he learns it’s been sold. The new innkeeper proves to be as determined as she is kind, and soon Gabriel finds himself a paying guest in his own home. As Jenny and Gabe bring new passion to the old house, can she convince him to leave the ghosts of his past behind-and make Last Chance their first choice for a future together?

Jenny is a practical woman who is satisfied living her life as a single inn keeper, even if everyone around her tries to force her to find a husband. Until Gabriel enters her world, and flips her world upside down.

One thing I immediately noticed in this story is while it is based in modern day it has a historical feeling to it. Both Jenny and Gabe seem to be trying to get back something from their childhood by filling their surroundings with items that remind them if their childhood. I actually enjoyed this concept because the author was able to reflect the characters emotional issues by what they surrounded themselves with. At times I pictured the inn as my grandmother’s home, since it remained the same no matter how much the world around it changed.

Jenny is truly a woman I can relate to. She knows what she wants in life, and she is going to get it for herself. She enjoys the company of others, but does not rely on them to provide for her emotionally, physically, or financially. I see myself a lot in this and it immediately made me grow fond of her.

Gabe on the other hand is a pushy man who seems to always want is own way. He may not realize it, but he is very much like the grandfather whose expectations he can never seem to meet. While at times, I questioned if he was capable of growing into the man I knew Jenny deserved, I did see a lot of growth in him, and enjoyed every bit of it. He was a changed man at the end of the story, and showed me that everything is not always what it seems.

The main plot in this story was really the mystery behind the ghost of The Jonquil House, as well as the mysterious happenings around the characters. The suspense and mystery behind it all keep me on the edge of my seat. I just could not put this book down, and while I have not read the other stories by author Hope Ramsey I would love to learn more about Last Chance and its residence.

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