Waking Storms by Sarah Porter, Julia Whelan (Narrator)

After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce learns that they desperately need her, that their queen wants her dead, and that Dorian, the boy she broke mermaid law to save, is bent on revenge. So much for tranquility.

Audio CD Published July 1st 2012 by Blackstone Audiobooks  ISBN 1455109150 (ISBN13: 9781455109159) 

 This is the 2nd book in a series, this review will contain some minor spoilers. 

 Luce is told by one of the mermaids that has discovered that she let Dorian live. She is ordered to murder him. Not only to help save the secrets of the mermaids, but for his own sanity. Once a human hears the song of the mermaid, it is a part of them and eventually drives them crazy. 

It's not a huge surprise to find Dorian standing and calling out for Luce late into the night. Demanding that she answer for killing his family and causing him to hear her song constantly. Until one day, she answers back. 

 In this book we see chapters from both Luce's perspective and some from Dorian's as some of the humans have began to look for what is causing the large amounts of ship wrecks in the area. The FBI gets involved and Luce's old tribe is in danger of getting found out. Their new leader is still reckless and not only putting them in more danger, she is killing her own kind. 

 In the second book of the Lost Voices Trilogy Luce and Dorian are both torn by their emotions. With the involvement of the FBI and the oncoming winter this story takes many interesting twists. We get introduced to mermaids from other groups. As well as Luce's interactions with humans, which is strictly forbidden under the mermaid law.

Lost Voices was one of my favorite reads, but with Waking Storms the story takes some twists that caused me some pause and really have to think about this world and things I would have never seen coming. Although Luce is a very compassionate person, she makes several decisions that made me doubt her strength to become a leader to her tribe. Her selfishness at times was so harsh and cruel that it was hard to feel sorry for her. But through her weakness grows power, which leaves me high hopes for the next book The Twice Lost coming out in July 2013. 

The narrator Julia Whelan is one of my favorites. She has narrated several of my favorite audiobooks and does an amazing job. Not only with the characters voices, but she brings out the right emotion to the story with great pacing.

 

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

A boy joins a theatrical troupe of goblins to find his missing brother.In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.

Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.

This accessible, atmospheric fantasy takes a gentle look at love, loss, and family while delivering a fast-paced adventure that is sure to satisfy

Goblin Secrets is a very imaginative, but darker story for younger readers. Along that lines of the Lemony Snicket series. 

In his desire to find his brother Rowan, Rownie gets caught up with the traveling goblins who put on plays,  to entertain some of those in the city. The main focus of their shows are the magical masks they use. The imagination and adventure comes along with the constant traveling through the city and magic behind the masks and music that carry the story. 

The caretaker of young Rowan, Graba  is one of the many darker and intimidating characters in this story. 
It's a tough call to say it's better to be living with her, or amongst the Goblins out on the street. But Rownie does have a companion in his travels to find his brother. With traveling with a troupe of an ensemble of characters and hiding a lot from the guards as the shows are not exactly legal. Rownie gets into several instances of trouble, magical battles and gaining friendships. 

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author. I think that he did a great job in narrating the story and bringing out the suspense, mystery and magic of the story. But it did seem to drag a little in the pacing and I do wish that some of the more intense moments had more emotion in the tone. 

It was a very short read and imaginative with several fun spots, and constant movement and events happening. Definitely not a "happily ever after" story.


 

Yunyu Song Inspired by the Night Creatures Series

   From Yunyu
Dear Baby Bats,
Hi, I am Yunyu. Like you, I've enjoyed traversing the dark landscapes of Marianne's world of Night Creatures and Angel Arias was written as a Siren call for the world of Ixion (In our world you may call it a tourist ad J )
The best bit about creating the song Angel Arias was the amount of creative freedom that was allowed (Marianne is very cool like that!). So I made a tune that was sort of Middle Eastern meets Euro Rave (Grave sounded like that sort of place in my head!)  Here’s a sneak peek http://youtu.be/Y07iogdHqvQ
So there it be!
I've also created an ongoing series of songs made of twisted fairy tales called TWISTED TALES. The songs can be heard here: yunyu.com.au/video 
Feel free to subscribe to the mailing list for future updates as well. Signups include a FREE MP3 as well.
http://yunyu.com.au/mailing-list
Enjoy! Till we meet again Baby Bats!
Your Royal Madness
Yunyu

The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #7) by Jeff Kinney

Love is in the air - but what does that mean for Greg Heffley?
A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation.
An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love.

It was recently announced that the Wimpy Kid series were being published as Ebooks. I am very happy that the feel of the original books (pictures and all) were not compromised in any way with the switch. I for one am a fan of the digital age and love reading on my devices.

In the 7th book in the series The Third Wheel it's Valentines Day in the world of Greg Heffley

and he pulls out all the stops to try to get a date. Even going to the extent of having a friend act as his wing man when all of Greg's ideas fail him.  Like finding a date is already hard enough, his Uncle has come to visit and is causing all kinds of trouble at home.

As Greg reminisces through his life of love, family and the awkwardness of your first school dance. This book was funny, witty and the pictures add personality to the characters and the scenes.

Fans of the Wimpy Kid series already know how much fun it is. They do not have to be read in order and now with the ebook release, can be ready anytime, anywhere. Great for long travels and vacation fun.

Finale (Hush, Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for

Hardcover, 454 pages Published October 23rd 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN13 9781442426672  

Audiobook Review:

This is the final book in the series, there will be some spoilers.

Nora now has a huge responsibility on her shoulders. But she doesn't seem to reach out to many people for help. She keeps her friends few and her enemies large.

Not a lot of the Nephilim even trust her enough to be their leader. Their expectations are high and her first duty is to cut Patch loose. She cannot be dating a fallen angel in the beginnings of a war between the Nephilim and the Fallen Angels. Their time apart will lead to Nora showing a lot of insecurities and jealousies on who Patch maybe spending his time with when they are not together.

Most of Nora's time is divided into training and Patch. Now that she has become Nephilim she must strengthen her abilities to show she can be a strong leader. Especially a leader that people will follow. But this leaves her open to putting a lot of trust into somebody that offers  her powerful dark, magical drug.

The final book in the Hush Hush series does not show as much character growth in Nora as I would have expected. The largest growth for her came in book 2 Crescendo. If anything Finale shows us that even though Nora has become part of a much stronger group, she herself holds true to her human side and she is still young with a lot of living to do while she can.

The narrator of this series Caitlin Greer does well in portraying Nora. As well as bringing out all the emotions and suspense from the book.  Kudos on the boys dialogue as well!

Fraction of Stone (Fraction #1) by Kelley Lynn

Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.

Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.

But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.

It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving.

 

Paperback, eBook, 293 pages  Expected publication: March 21st 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing  ISBN  9781938404 

When Rydan finds Akara is being held in a cell. It doesn't take him long to realize that he is not going to leave without her. Even if it may start a war. They are the only known two people that can wield magic, there are not many left of the Namaqua people.  When Rydan takes her back home to talk to his teacher they find some of the answers to what happened to their people. And most importantly what they need to do to save the world. Gather the pieces of the broken stone. But Akara has had a rough life, and has no want or reason to try to save a world that has treated her so harshly. 

The story has a lot of traveling and adventure. Crazy weather and obstacles they must overcome.  Not to mention the evil Faris who is unhappy with the fact that Rydan took off with Akara in the first place.

They will find friendships and hardships along the way. Learn to wield their magic in different ways and find answers to the questions that have always been burning inside.

The story was not as fast paced as I thought it would be considering they are on the run. Times of travel and more dialogue than action scenes. It's writing is very descriptive and the world building is interesting. I was happy to see a lot of character growth in Akara. And as this is just the first book in the series, there seems like there is a lot more of this story to go, we've just been given a sneak peek of what is possible next.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

  Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next

The first book, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, left me wanting more. The intriguing idea behind what was going on with Mara, but also how was Noah able to see the things he did? And of course that cliffhanger!

When anxiously diving into the sequel I have to admit I was hoping for so many of these questions to be answered, but Michelle Hodkin sure has a way of just teasing us. It's quite possible that this book left me more confused about the puzzle pieces than before. It went in a completely different direction that I would have ever imagined and really throws the reader for a loop.

We do find out a lot of answers, but they were definitely not at all close to what I was expecting. This has to be one of the most unconventional series that I have ever read, and I mean that in a very good way. I loved that with almost every chapter the reader is constantly guessing where this is going to go.

I was more than overjoyed to see old friends make appearances and some quirky and not so welcomed new faces as well.

The ending of this book really threw me for a loop, there was actually at one point I was reading with my jaw open, I was pretty shocked and had a clear WTF moment.

I have heard several different opinions about this series, it is quirky and full on psychological. It will mess with your mind, and I for one enjoyed the ride. I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody

Night Creatures Cover Reveals! #BurnBright

Earlier this month I posted the new covers that were going to come out on the US and UK release of Australian Author Marianne de Pierres Night Creatures series *cough* MY FAVORITE SERIES.

Some amazing news has been released that

" Marianne and Jarek Kubicki have come to an agreement to share these amazing covers with the world."

If you would like to check out the artists webpage=  . http://www.kubicki.info/

I am so excited about this release (in just a few weeks now) I will be giving away copies here on the blog, so stay tuned!

If you would like to know more about Burn Bright here is a link to my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/144279329
(also feel free to add me as a friend on Goodreads while your there! :)

SO What do YOU think of the covers?

Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.   

Hardcover, 371 pages  Published January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books

ISBN  1419704281 (ISBN13: 9781419704284)

http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Splintered-9781419704284.html

Every once in awhile you are lucky enough to come across a book that will blow your mind. Splintered was that book for me.  I had a very interesting relationship with this book. I read through the book, initially my thoughts were very negative, I didn't like Jeb, wasn't sure why he was even in the story except to add a love triangle angle. I was upset when Alyssa goes through physical changes in her travels because that was just NOT what was supposed to happen in my mind. I was all ready to write a somewhat negative review when I came across a review of this book online, that completely made me view the story in a different way. And I decided that I wanted to re-read the book and look at it from a different perspective. I picked up the audio book instead, and with a more open mind LOVED this story. 

I still had some very small issues about parts I didn't like along the way, I could appreciate Jeb more and became very impressed with the complexities of the twists that Morpheus causes throughout the story. But when everything is revealed in the end, it turns out that this story had so many different layers to it. I have to say that I still am torn on the fact that Alyssa makes physical changes during her travels through wonderland (besides just growing and shrinking because of the cake and drink, I thought those parts fit in perfectly) And I wanted to see a little bit more of some character growth from her to become a more of a fighter in the end. 

What amazed me is the descriptions of the people/creatures and the world building of this Wonderland. I have always been a huge fan of movies like Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. And this world is very similar to those dark and creepy stories. The majority of the creatures/people of Wonderland are grotesque, macabre, quirky and sometimes very fairy-tale like. The combinations are very well weaved together along with the tests that Alyssa has to go through are scary but at times humorous.

Alyssa is the Great Great Great granddaughter of the original Alice who relayed the stories of Wonderland to the writer Lewis Carroll. Ever since Alice had her adventures in Wonderland, all the females in the family were cursed, until all the wrongs Alice did could be set right again. While visiting her mother in the Asylum one day, she and Alyssa hear the bugs talking, warnings that "he's coming" and things begin to go horribly wrong. Alyssa decides right there that she must go back to Wonderland to save her mother and herself from this curse. With the hypnotically blue moth Morpheus makes his appearance, he guides her through the rabbit whole and Wonderland itself to help her accomplish the tests. Jeb follows Alyssa through the rabbit hole and becomes a guard for her. 

Morpheus on the other hand, has other things in mind. He needs Alyssa to pass the tests for other reasons than her to break the curse. And he will do anything to get her to complete them, anyway he can.

Splintered
 

Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Hardcover, First Edition, 336 pages Published January 1st 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers  ISBN  0316197084 (ISBN13: 9780316197083)  Altered

Anna and her father run a lab in their basement. The boys are all caged in separate glass rooms and have unusual scars and tattoos on their bodies. Over the last 5 or so years Anna has become close with all of them, monitoring them and forming a bond with Sam. But the fact that none of them can remember their pasts is upsetting and eventually they must get free to find the answers.


As the story progresses we find out that even with the loss of their memories, the boys have clues to their past. They must solve the puzzle while running from the corporation which is always one step ahead. But where does Anna fit into the story? The clues unravel that she has more to do with their past lives than even she was ever aware of. The pacing of the story becomes a roller coaster as they have very little information to go off of and cannot trust anybody. Very little down time and a twist or two that you won't see coming.

Although our main character is a little on the naive and on the timid side, she has huge growth and character development, you'll definitely root for her. Sam, a favorite of mine is the pensive leader who cares just as much for everybody's safety as much as finding the answers.

My favorite thing about this story is the variation of characters. I was surprised that even with everything that they experience it's like in some way all of the characters are soul-mates (not the romantic kind) but they all have some destiny that is tying them together. They don't fight with each other as much as I would have expected and are so close it's like they read each others minds. At first I was on the edge about the main character and her connection to the story but very happy with the end results and found it a page turner. I really enjoyed every minute. 

Pitch Green by The Brothers Washburn

Trona is a small, smoggy, mostly insignificant town in Colorado. Besides a booming chemical plant, the only thing that characterizes this dismal town is dirt, sagebrush, and an enormous abandoned mansion.

The mansion is, admittedly, the only notable addition to Trona, but it’s something everyone tries to avoid due to its creepy facade. Everyone except for Camm Smith, who is obsessed with the need to get inside.

Seven years earlier, as Camm herded a pack of little trick-or-treaters past the mansion, her young neighbor, Hugh, disappeared, becoming just one of many children who have vanished from Trona over the years without a trace. Now a senior in high school, Camm is still haunted by the old tragedy and is sure the answer to the mysterious disappearances lies hidden somewhere in the decaying mansion. Joining forces with her best friend, Cal, who also happens to be Hugh’s older brother, Camm naively begins a perilous search for the truth.

As things spiral quickly out of control, and others die, Camm and Cal discover it will take all their combined ingenuity to stay alive. An unseen creature, lurking deep within the bowels of the mansion, seems to have supernatural powers and is now hunting them. Making matters worse, they become entangled with hostile federal agents, who care only about keeping old secrets permanently hidden. Left with only their wit and seemingly ineffective firearms, they know they are running out of time. Unless they can make sense out of the few pieces of the puzzle they manage to unearth, the monster will certainly destroy them, and like so many others before them, they will be gone without a trace.

Hardcover, 280 pages Expected publication: March 16th 2013 by Jolly Fish Press (first published March 13th 2013)  ISBN  9780988649 (ISBN13: 9780988649118)

http://thebrotherswashburn.blogspot.com/

In a small town where it's become common for people to go missing. There is a mysterious house that seems to be behind the disappearing people. But there can never be found a bit of evidence, and nobody has lived there for years.

One Halloween night Hughie goes missing. Camm and Cal know deep inside that his disappearance has to do with that house, but the police could not find anything. And now when Camm and Cal turn 18 there is an FBI search into the missing people's case and the town in general. As the police could not find anything with each individual case, there has been so many stacking up that it's time to look further.

The FBI agents let the kids help them out a bit and tag along with them as they explore the house and question the townsfolk. What they do find is that Hughie's Halloween costume is in the house and there is something that is not right about that house. It's ominous and there seems to be a lot more people that know things, and they aren't talking.

Pitch Green is a very fast paced read that has a storyline that keeps not only the ominous house but what is in the house very unique and imaginative. Although the story has a scary edge to it, it's fun for younger readers and teens that are looking for something fun and very goosebumps (but more adult) feel to it.

Warning: There is usage of guns by the main characters, violent battle scenes but nothing too graphic.

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The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

Hardcover, 1st Edition, 401 pages  Published February 12th 2013 by Razorbill

ISBN  159514319X (ISBN13: 9781595143198)  The Indigo Spell: A Bloodlines Novel


Ms. Terwilliger unwittingly has gotten Sydney in danger by having her practice magic. She has now become a target and her life is in danger. Not only is Sydney having to learn how to stay safe and battle with magic, she has her own goal of finding Marcus Finch. Find out who he really is and why/how he left the Alchemists group.

This book focuses more on the relationship that our main character Sydney has with Adrian and Ms. Terwilliger. We do get more exploration into who Marcus Finch is and of course, the hidden witchy enemy that she must battle to survive.  We really get to delve further into the Alchemists group in this book. What the Golden Lily tattoos really represent/contain.

There is always a constant that you will find with these books. There is very little down time. There is always more than one plot line happening and each book has a build up to a really intense moment and a surprise ending to lead into the next book. Plus a little romance mixed in and witty, humorous dialogue.

Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Walker Childrens

ISBN

0802723101 (ISBN13: 9780802723109)

Mallory knows she stabbed her boyfriend, it's been cleared as self defense. But now his mother is stalking her and her parents decide to send her away to school to get out of the situation. But even in a new setting she is still trying to fit together all the pieces. She can only remember bits and pieces of what happened that night and the meetings with the lawyer since. She has no recollection on why exactly she stabbed him, what caused her to be so afraid.

The main characters has experienced something very traumatic and keeps having flashes or things that could have, or did happen...we aren't sure. She's paranoid, has anxiety and has a hard time trusting anybody. The story jumps back and forth from current day into her memories of the day she killed her boyfriend. So we slowly get snippets of that day throughout the story that will eventually lead up to piecing everything together. 

I love horror stories and this book was so much fun to read, I read it in one day and loved how we are just given the tiniest of a hint to what could have happened that night. Also mixed in with a whole new mystery of what is happening with this group at school. Highly enjoyed this thrill ride and it was dark, freaky and lots of blood.

 

The Secret Cellar (The Red Blazer Girls #4) by Michael D. Beil

Mysteries seem to find the Red Blazer Girls: when Sophie finds a secret message in the antique fountain pen she bought for her father, the girls are on a case. Soon, they're at the home of the pen's original owner, a secretive man who kept to himself. His house is full of puzzles, all of which protect a hidden treasure, and the Blazers will do anything to get to the bottom of things. Throw in an ill-tempered bookstore owner with a motive, a missing will, a walking stick that doubles as a key, a school Christmas play, and a rat named Humphrey, and it all adds up to another thrilling adventure for the Red Blazer Girls.

Hardcover, 288 pages Published October 9th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers  The Red Blazer Girls: The Secret Cellar


It's Christmastime in New York and the girls are out shopping. When Sophie comes across a pen being auctioned at an estate sale she jumps at the opportunity to buy it for her father. This pen ends up having a piece of paper hidden inside of it that starts them on a big mystery to discover the clues.

In this edition of the Red Blazer Girls Mysteries, they will not only solve the story behind the clues in the pen. But also help their favorite coffee shop open again and help a woman learn about a grandfather she never knew she had.

The Red Blazer Girls mysteries are perfect for the 21st century reader. Just like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys they are smart, intelligent, witty and very funny. Michael Beil is able to mix in the perfect amounts of the girls daily routines in with the mysteries they solve. You get to know each of them as friends as well as getting to work out the clues along with them.

As the girls decipher the clues that lead them to research great men in history. They are given access to the deceased Mr Deddmann's house and a very grande, extravagant and amazing basement that he designed himself and has clues throughout the room to uncover the true secret.

Sophie, Becca, Leigh Ann, & Margaret not only make friends as they solve their mysteries. They also gain some enemies as well. Especially those that do not want the girls to discover the secrets.

The Red Blazer Girls' series is by far one of my favorite middle grade mysteries. Great for readers of all ages. The clues the girls are given could throw any of us for a loop and it's amazing how smart and courageous they are. Each story will throw you for a loop and keep you on your toes. It's great to play along and try to research the answers before the girls reveal the answers.





I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. Amazingly fun reads 5 stars

Night Creatures: Cover Reveal!

My favorite Australian author Marianne de Pierres recently announced we are getting her teen series The Night Creatures released in the UK and US, very ....VERY soon!
So...what do you think of the covers? I cannot wait until you call get a chance to read them, they are one of my obsessions.
And I really like the new covers!


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