Molly Pepper and the Night Train by Courtney King Walker

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 152015
 

???????????????????Molly Pepper and the Night Train

Author: Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Published: March 2015

ISBN: 978-0-9857250-5-1

Paperback: 254 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Hidden somewhere in the fog of the San Francisco bay lies Blue Rock Island, home to the bay area’s two best-kept secrets: Bell’s Bluff, the old, abandoned prison on one side of the island, and the Night Train, a mysterious train ride on the other. When twelve-year-old Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the Night Train, she is skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough.

Still, Molly gives hope another chance. Together with her loyal friend, Noah Wonderly, they sneak out of the house and follow a string of clues leading to the Night Train. But when the train stops at Bell’s Bluff, Molly discovers the real reason she was invited. There, she starts to wonder if hope and magic not only fix broken promises; but make you believe in them again.

My Review

This book is a treasure.  I LOVE middle grade books, especially middle grade books with lots of heart, fun, and mystery.  This book has it all.  There were so many little things in this story that made me smile, and I loved the wonderful extra sweetness that made this book special (a certain scene with Noah, that I just loved).  Molly is a fantastic character, but Noah stole the show for me.  He was my favorite.  I loved the pacing in this book too, the short chapters when it wasn’t being told by Molly’s POV, were the perfect added touch to give the story even more.  It begins with a fun adventure for Molly and Noah and lots of people are waiting to see how it unfolds.  There is a reveal at the end that I suspected, but when it came, it was heartbreaking and I loved how it all came out.  Perfect ending to a fabulous book.

5 out of 5 stars.  Courtney is also the author of an enjoyable YA book called On the Fringe that I reviewed back in 2012.  Check that out here.

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Sep 172012
 

The Forgiven Duke (Forgotten Castles #2)

Author: Jamie Carie

Publisher: B&H Bookes

Published Date: July 2012

Paperback/Kindle/Nook; 320 pages

Genre: Historical Romance/Adventure

ISBN# 978-1433673238

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon – the path of least resistance – Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton – the path less traveled by – on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.

Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.

The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

Review

A few weeks ago I reviewed the first book in this series, The Guardian Duke. The Forgiven Duke picks up right where the first book leaves off in the story.

Alexandria is determined to find her parents by any means necessary, or so she thinks. It isn’t long before she begins to doubt whether she can go through with marrying John Lemon, not when the memory of the look in the Duke’s eyes as she sailed away keeps coming back to haunt her. Then she finds John going through her letters and reading personal information about her wealth. She gets upset with John but he manages to convince her he was just curious about her relationship with the Duke.

This is where I had an issue. In the first book, John is the one that takes Alexandria to the bank to get a credit against her fortune in the name of the Duke so she can continue on her quest. She clearly states that the Duke is in charge of her large fortune and estate, so John must already be aware of it. Unless he thinks she was making it up just to get credit in the Duke’s name, but John never mentions that he doubts it or doesn’t believe her completely. I may be misunderstanding something here, but I even went back to the first book and reread the scene. I don’t know if it was fixed before final printing though, as I have an uncorrected galley.

The adventure picks up when the Duke wants to buy a boat and hire a crew to follow Alexandria to Iceland but is kidnapped instead. As she and her group travel through the towns and landscape of Iceland, the clues Alexandria finds give her hope that she is getting closer to finding her parents. The reader is introduced to more interesting side characters. There is an incident when Alexandria first reaches Iceland that sets up for something later in the book, but to me it felt contrived. Alexandria gets her first real break from a very interesting character on the island.

For those of you who are wondering if the Duke and Alexandria actually come face to face in this book, I can assure you they do. It isn’t until 70% of the way through the book, but they do meet in a romantic and dramatic rescue, followed by something drastic that changes everything. With all of the action and suspense that builds up to the Duke and Alexandria finding each other, the remainder of the book is considerably less intense. The author still manages to end the book in a way that makes the reader want to pick up the next book immediately.

The third book, A Duke’s Promise, was released in early September and concludes the series. If you are one who likes historical romantic adventure stories, then you will most likely enjoy this series by author Jamie Carie.

Find The Forgiven Duke:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK 

 

 

The Mark by M.R. Bunderson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 092010
 


The Mark

M.R. Bunderson
Published by: Cedar Fort/CFI
Published Date: 2010
Softcover: 278 pages
FTC – I borrowed from the library
“I’m not sure you understand the importance of this decision. The very existence of our people and our way of life stand in the balance.” Marco spoke quietly, but there was no mistaking the passion behind his words.” (page 1)
Tori is a senior in high school. She’s a good student, plays piano, never gets in trouble, and has great friends… she’s every parent’s dream. In class one day she is chatting with her best friend Shae, they are studying the birthmark on Tori’s hand. Tori realizes it’s not just an ordinary mark. But, Shae doesn’t see what she can. Tori dismisses it, and they start going over their double date plans for that evening. Tori is hesitant about the date, but Shae promises that Jon’s best friend, Eric, is worth it. Eric and Tori meet and are instantly connected, in more ways then one. Their connection is based their link to an ancient society. The rest of the book is about how they find and avoid some more of their “people”. Along the way they realize they have gifts that could be beneficial, but also harmful to each other.
Although, I enjoyed the idea of the story, I had a hard time with the dialogue at first. It was sometimes cheesy and a little corny. But, I over looked it because the story itself has promise.
3 stars
If there was a sequel I would read it.