May 2010

1. Beastly by Alex Flinn

Young adult contemporary retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story set in New York City.

2. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Newberry Medal book for 2010

Young adult novel set in New York City during the 1970s.

My library has three copies of this book--one shelved in the YA section and two shelved in the Children's section. The story is told from the point of view of 12 year old Miranda who is in the 6th grade. It's a combination coming of age story (in a way) and a mystery. Very delightful story about friendship and its different forms and maybe looking for the good in all people who cross our paths.

3. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Book 7

This is Rehv & Ehlena's story. Rehv is half vampire half sympath and the dark secrets of his past--and his present life--are threatened to be revealed and may cost him a life of torture and a life without his one true mate. A few interesting side stories going on ... one with Wrath, the king of the vampires as his vision begins to fail him completely... and one with the sympath Xhex who is Rehv's 'second in command' and the Brother in training John Matthew.

4. Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter

Rarest Blooms Quartet, Book 1

In her determination to prove her father's innocence in approving a bad batch of gunpowder to the front lines of war that resulted in the massacre of soldiers unable to defend themselves, Audrianna Kelmsleigh finds herself armed with a pistol in a room of a crowded inn waiting to meet an unknown man for information about the investigation. Lord Sebastian Summerhays, one of her father's persecutors who is also seeking the truth regarding the bad gunpowder, shows up as well looking for the same unknown man with information. The two find themselves thinking the other is the person with the information, with the pistol between them and engaged in a spontaneous kiss only to be alarmed by an intruder and the gun gets fired. Of course a scandal ensues regarding Audrianna and the rakish Lord Summerhays being discovered in a room of an inn and a lovers quarrel is the obvious gossip. Hence a marriage of obligation and the two still determined to find the truth about the gunpowder.

5. My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers series, Book 2

Kaylee, Nash and Tod set out to save the souls of two young girls who sold their souls for fame, putting their lives in danger. Aside from the part about being a bean sidhe or banshee, Kaylee's pretty much a typical teen with typical teen conflicts. Testing her freedom and independence, working these issues out with her dad... and also falling more and more for her boyfriend, but unsure about how serious he feels about her because he's been with so many other girls before her. She wants to be different and special from all those other girls... without having to try. And she doesn't try to be something she's not.. but she's still uncertain she's got anything different or special that those other girls have either. Kaylee's emotions are very relate-able for any teenage girl.

6. Loyalty In Death by J.D. Robb

In Death Series, Book 10

Eve and her team are racing against the clock to uncover and apprehend a terrorist group that is targeting NYC landmarks. Peabody's Free-Ager younger brother is visiting NYC while on a custom carpentry job and gets entangled in a murder.

7. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

The Bride Quartet, Book 3

This is Laurel McBane's romance story. Laurel is the baker of the quartet of best friend wedding planners at Vows. Her love interest is Delaney Parker, the brother of her best friend Parker whom she has known since she was just a young girl playing wedding with her friends in the backyard. Laurel has been in love with Del forever and with one spontaneous kiss, they start dating. The conflict is that Laurel has always been IN LOVE with Del, and while he loves her too... how much of that is caring for her and how much is actually being in love with her back? Very sweet story.