Lori Adams

While this isn't the best YA murder mystery I've read, it is a good one and ultimately the flaws are outweighed by the good plot, the bold protagonist, and the way the author wrote it. I also liked that the story as told with flashbacks, each chapter started with the police questioning Kate and then what happened. I think that detail worked really well, the long explanations, not so much.
This book brings the 20s to life. Between the details, the people referenced and the actual murder case, I was reading and researching finding out what was real and was the author’s imagination. While reading I thought that the war, the PTSD and the abandonment brought the post war environment that some authors avoid in a roaring 20s book.… (plus d'informations)

1920s, California, newspapers, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, family-business, friendship, law-enforcement, historical-fiction, historical-research, historical-setting****

Kate grew up quick when at fourteen both of her older brothers were killed in the Great War and her mother just left. Against the backdrop of the film industry, Kate wants to be a reporter but finds that she has a penchant for being a detective. Although it's a mite long, it held my interest to the end.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Spyhop Publishing/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) via NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)

High seas and pirating adventure mixes with imagination and quirky magic to create a very rich world, which is more than just a bit of fun.

Avalina Jones has spent more than half of her childhood at the orphanage, gazing at the Mississippi River. Strange things happen around her, which makes her positive she isn't like the other children, but the headmistress refuses to explain exactly what it is. When an odd woman comes to the building in a flying boat and kidnaps Avalina with the promise to take her where she truly belongs...and the woman knows her dead parents...the adventure begins. Avalina is a 1st year student on a famous, pirate ship school, might have a curse, and has more than a few enemies.

This is a fun adventure from beginning to end. It packs imagination...and I do mean to the gills. Every page swims with magical hints, objects, characters, and quirkiness, creating a very rich fantasy world, where nothing seems to be impossible and surprises lurk past every gangway. The characters are just as rich and pop off the page. There's never a second for boredom and always something happening. So, get ready for fast-paced because this book is that.

To say that this one reminds me of Harry Potter's Hogwarts is an understatement. There are many parallels in the world, although in this book, everything takes a very strong pirate twist. In that sense, I even found it clever and loved getting lost in the fun. However, all the fun details also became too much and ended up overwhelming the plot and scenes, at times, until I felt distracted and would lose the main line. But this could just be me, since the richness is amazing and is sure to thrill younger readers.

Avalina Jones is a character to root for from beginning to end. She gets herself into sticky situations, is a bit head-strong, and yet, even held back, at times. She fits her age group all right and definitely slides into a great character for a middle grade read. The tale is tense and also stays age appropriate....but then, it's simply a lot of fun. Fantasy and pirate fans are sure to enjoy this one.
I received an ARC through Netgalley and really enjoyed the fun in these pages.… (plus d'informations)

Received from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Loveswept div) for a completely unbiased review.
Sophia is your average high school student, her dad's a pastor, and a few years ago she lost her mother. She has had her brush with an abusive boyfriend, and is hoping that moving to Haven Hurst will help her put it behind her. Haven Hurst is a town that Sophia learns to appreciate, and falls in quickly with the town's inhabitants. Her skills as a photographer are utilized by her new school and the town newspaper, she makes plenty of new friends and even reveals the existence of real-heavenly-Angels.

Mrs Adams develops a unique story about demons, Angels and the unearthly battle for human souls. I felt that she masterfully created a world where Angels and demons roam together on Earth, but are subject to some very strict hierarchies (like real life corporations, including the sympathy lacking demon side of the coin!). The story is unique in character development and the love story isn't a complete yawn fest. Star-crossed lovers. Mystery. Wonky town council members who enjoy a little hex time.

The relationship between Sophia and Dante has its rather unsettling moments, as does her romance with Michael, and unfortunately Mrs Adams dabbles a bit with a love triangle, some Twilight-esque moments in the school where the Angels blow off school and no one cares, and things happen that only Sophie see (sound like Bella, anyone?).
clearhex time.
Although I got the uncomfortable feelings of Twilight dazes, and the eye-rollingly-annoying use of young adult names/phrases (hey! im old, i can roll my eyes!), this book was a great way to turn my brain off after a long day at work. The content isn't too serious, Angels saving lives aside, and the cliffhanger ending will not disappoint!

Fresh ideas, quick read, sexy hero. Ill be coming back for more, and suggest anyone interested in YA Paranormal romance with Angelic spice should check this new title out!… (plus d'informations)