Dead is the New Black

Nightshade, California is home to the psychic Giordano sisters; Daisy, Poppy and Rose. Also home to a soul sucker who is attacking teenage girls around town. With an eclectic cast of paranormal characters and some norms too, the Giordano girls attempt to find out who is causing Nightshade's cheerleaders to seizure and be hospitalized.

Dead is the New Black is a fun YA paranormal novel and the first book in the series. Marlene Perez has created a wonderful role model in Daisy. The book was a quick read that was hard to put down. I am definitely going to be recommending this book to the YA readers I know!

Review- Fatal Fixer-Upper

Avery Baker, a textile designer from New York, gets an unexpected letter from her Great Aunt Inga referring to a need to put things in order and right some wrongs. After consulting with her mom, Avery decides to head out to small town Maine to meet with her Great Aunt. Unfortunately, when she arrives in Waterfield, Avery finds that Great Aunt Inga died a few days before and she is the sole heir. Unsure what to do with her newly acquired rundown Victorian cottage, Avery returns to New York to think about her next steps. Ultimately, she decides that with the help of handyman Derek Ellis and a little hard work she can turn a little profit if she fixes up the cottage. Moving her life temporarily to Waterfield, Avery meets a cast of characters, some of whom make her feel at home. She also stumbles upon some trouble and a few mysteries.

I really liked this first novel in the Do-It-Yourself Mystery series by Jennie Bentley. It took some time for the story to build; however once it did, I could not put the book down. The cast of characters are interesting with a mix of good, bad and evil that kept me trying to figure out what was going on. I am looking forward to continuing with this series.

Review: Lone Wolf

Luke Warren picks Cara, his daughter, up from a party one night when they are in a severe car accident. Cara recovers after surgery; however, her father remains in a coma with a traumatic brain injury. Georgie, Luke's ex-wife calls their son Edward in Thailand to come home. Edward is forced to face his family in crisis, while also trying to rebuild relationships after years of running away from the hurt and secrets. Georgie’s husband Joe represents Edward in the court case that ensues to decide who has the right to make a decision about whether to pull the life support and donate Luke’s organs, or to wait for a miracle.

As in many of Jodi Picoult's books, the story is told from multiple characters’ points of view. Through each family member's recounts of the past and present, we learn of secrets and regrets. What I found interesting was how Picoult compared the Warren family unit to the wolf pack. The whole notion that everyone, or wolf, has a job and a role to play, was beautifully interwoven throughout the story. I have always appreciated how Picoult forces me as a reader to look at situations from several angles, creating characters that need to be understood through their points of view. While I did not always agree with Cara’s beliefs, I could empathise with her desperate need to believe her father would survive. 

Review: The Winter Palace

This historical fiction novel follows the Russian court from 1743 to 1764 introducing the reader to Empress Elizabeth, the youngest surviving daughter of Peter the Great and Princess Sophie of Prussia, who in turn becomes Catherine the Great. The character propelling the story is orphaned Varvara Nikolayevna who is assigned to Empress Elizabeth's court.

In time Varvara gains the attention of the Arch Duke who trains her as a court spy. Varvara becomes one of the Empress' most treasured spies as she maneuvers around the castle taking note of tidbits of information to take back to the Empress. In 1744, Princess Sophie of Prussia is betrothed to the Grand Duke Peter and becomes Catherine, the Grand Duchess. Varvara becomes on of Catherine's ladies in waiting and in time, the two women plan and survive a coup that allows Catherine to assume the Russian throne.

I really enjoyed this book and the perspective of life behind the castle walls. Eva Stachniak used incredible descriptive language to aid the reader in seeing how unglamorous and cut-throat it was. I look forward to reading the next book from Catherine's point of view.

Guest Blogger Spot!

I am not going to lie, I am a little giddy!! I was offered a very exciting opportunity by Wanda Lynne Young over on her Bookalicious Yummy Mummy blog. To read my review of Idol Hands by Cynthia Hill click on the image! Let me know what you think!!!

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