Lay Me Down by Tamara Hart Heiner-Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 222016
 

laymedown#2 28543486Product Details

  •  Title:  Lay Me Down
  • Author: Tamara Hart Heiner
  • Paperback: 332 pages
  • Publisher: Tamark Books (January 15, 2016)
  • Genre: YA, Romance, Mystery, Supernatural
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0989088847
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review ARC in exchange for an honest review
  • Reviewed by:Sheila

Book Description:
Life is more than just breathing.

Kylee Mansfield knows what it is to be alone. Her dad left when she was seven, and her mother remarried an abusive alcoholic. Kylee finds ways to escape reality, usually by substituting one pain for another.

Things take a deadly turn when a jagged cut shows up on her arm, and she doesn’t know where it came from. She enlists her neighbor, Price Hudson, to help her uncover the truth. But Price shows her much more than just her past—he shows her what it is to be alive.

Excerpt from Lay Me Down:

 Kylee leaned against her bedroom door, her heart beating erratically. Even from here, she could hear Bill swearing and yelling in the living room. She squeezed her eyes shut. Why was he still going on? He should have forgotten about her by now.

“Please stay in the other room. Please stay in the other room,” she chanted to herself. She glanced down at her throbbing arm, noting the small rivulet of blood collecting in the corner of her elbow.

Her mom’s shouting mingled with Bill’s, and something large crashed into a wall. The single-story house rattled as Bill’s thundering footsteps approached.

“Kylee!” he roared, the full extent of his fury echoing in the one word.

She whimpered. Her eyes landed on the chair scooted against the wooden desk next to the closet. She lunged for it, intent on propping it under the doorknob like she had so many times in the past.

Barely had she vacated her spot by the door before it banged open, slamming into the opposite wall with its force. Kylee shrieked and spun around.

“I’m sorry,” she sputtered, her hands splayed out in front of her for protection. “I should have stayed out of it. I—”

He cut the rest of her apology off with a left hook to her jaw. Kylee stumbled backwards and went down to her knees, a little surprised she hadn’t seen that coming. Bill was angrier than usual.

*****Order Lay Me Down on Amazon HERE

My Review: 
I must preface this review by saying first: this review may be vague in what I can tell you about the story. The reason why is, I absolutely do not want to ruin the story for you. This book is so far one of the best I’ve read this year in 2016. It has a little of everything in it: romance, mystery, and supernatural. Quite a combination wouldn’t you say?

The story starts with us looking at the world through main character Kylee’s eyes. Her life is not easy. She lives with her browbeaten, druggie mom, and abusive stepfather Bill, in a rundown home. Kylee doesn’t go to public school anymore and is always in fear of her life because of Bill’s explosive temper. Kylee is cut off from her few friends and the rest of the world. She feels like she is non-existent and no one cares.To help her deal with the pain in her life she cuts herself.

It is amazing to me how this story is told so beautifully in such an ugly situation, but Author Tamara Hart Heiner is able to do so. You are pulled into Kylee’s world of emotional pain,verbal and physical abuse, and her longing to be loved.You will be mesmerized like I was as this story unfolds. This is one of those stories that you won’t be able to put down. You’ll be reading as fast as you can to figure out the many mysterious things that start occurring in Kylee’s life. 

The story brightens a bit when Kylee’s cute, new neighbor, Price Hudson, starts talking to her.He’s hesitant at first because of his own heartache he’s living through, but soon he can’t stay away from Kylee. Price soon shows her that the world can be a brighter and more loving place. They also form a friendship that can’t be broken. The two teens are quickly pulled into a supernatural world where they work together to figure something very important out. Price is a wonderful character that you will like because of his kindness and loyalty.

As you figure out what is truly going on, the tension in the story does not die down, it only builds. Time is running out for the mystery to be solved and both Kylee and Price are in danger. With the help of a Medium, Madame Humphrey, the story finally comes to an end with a shocking revelation. I was left with a feeling of contentment at the end, though the ride getting there was full of angst. This is a must read and I think I heard there may be a sequel. I hope it is true!

**I read this book with my teen daughter and we had some good discussions along the way. The story is for older teens and adults. There is some violence, blood, and mild gore within the book.** 

 
Meet Author: Tamara Hart Heiner 

I live in Arkansas with my husband and four children, two crazy boys and two pretty little princesses.

I am the author of the young adult suspense PERILOUS series (DELIVERER, PERILOUS, ALTERCATION, and a third book under contract!), INEVITABLE, and the Cassandra Jones saga. My non-fiction book about the Joplin tornado came out in May, 2014. You can find out more about what I’m writing and catch deleted scenes from my books on my blog at http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com.

Intrinsical by Lani Woodland

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 112011
 

Intrinsical

Author: Lani Woodland

Publisher: Pendrell Publishing

Hardcover: 304 pages

ISBN: 9780982729700

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy

“Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something slide past me.  Curious, I turned to find something shimmering in the air, almost like a fine mist–but it was unlike any mist I had ever seen.  Instead of a transparent white, it was a deep charcoal gray, almost black.  It brought to mind a dark rain cloud, one that promised a terrible storm… The mist wound around one student, then another, releasing each before moving on, still searching.  Then, abruptly, it paused, circling tightly around a boy with sable hair.” Intrinsical pages 1-2

Yara Silva knows that ghosts are around her.  In fact, she is a Waker.  Being a Waker she can see and communicate with ghosts.  Yara’s grandmother was also one, but she was taunted by her ability.  Yara didn’t want that for herself.  When she starts school at Pendrell Academy, Yara was hoping just to attend school, and not have her ability be “awakened”.  Little did Yara know, Pendrell Academy is surrounded by mystery.  Yara grandmother encourages her to attend, even though Pendrell has been loosing students to suicide.  So, right away, she realizes her ability has been lying dormant all this time, until she is needed in a moments notice.

I really enjoyed this book.  Something huge happens to Yara, earlier then I was excepting, and I really love what the author did with it.  There are so many cools twists and turns that Yara takes, and where she ends up at the end is impressive.  There are so many likable characters in this book too.  Besides Yara, Brent was my favorite, a guy who has many of his own complications.

I recently met Lani Woodland at a book club discussion and instantly loved her.  She is so fun and sweet.  Lani got the idea for Intrinsical by doing a fan fiction story for her favorite show The X Files–it’s a cool story.  I also got to spend time with her at last weekend’s LDStorymakers Conference.  In a podcast interview that Sheila and I had with her, I was excited to learn that book two, Indelible will be released later this year.  Find out more about Lani here.

4 stars out of 5.  Great story, I will even let my teenage daughter read this, and I haven’t been saying that very often.  I will definitely read Book 2, and will read Intrinsical again.

I Don’t Want to Kill You by Dan Wells

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 272011
 

I Don’t Want to Kill You

Author: Dan Wells

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

Published: April 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7653-2249-4

Hardcover: 320 pages

First of all this will be a short review. I can not say much about this book that won’t give anything away in the other two. If you haven’t read I Am Not a Serial Killer or Mr. Monster then you need to read those before this one.  I admit I was seriously freaked out to read these books, (see my review) but I wanted to finish my Whitney reading.  Yes, they are scary, a bit gory, and nothing I’ve ever read before.  But, that is what makes them as good as they are and unique.  I love reading a book and after awhile, taking a break, then realizing that my mouth has been hanging open for who knows how long.  That’s what it was like to read this final book.

**Possible Spoiler Alert**

John has been through a lot in the past few months.  Killing and speaking to demons is almost like brushing his teeth.  More mysterious things are happening in town that he and a friend try to figure out.  Young girls are killing themselves and local public figures are being killed.  John suspects everyone, but what he gets he wasn’t expecting.

**Spoiler Over**

This is was my favorite book of the series.  John really comes to terms with himself and learns a lot, not only about himself, but the people in his life.  Some shocking things happen, a couple things I anticipated, one huge thing I didn’t.

4 1/2 stars out of 5.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 142010
 


Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster Books
Published: September 2010
Hardcover: 478 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7586-1
FYC FYI: Borrowed from library, but will be purchasing own copy.
I read the first three books in this series last year. The series is “The Mortal Instruments” and the books are “City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass”. “Clockwork Angel” is the first of three prequels. The story is dark, and there is some violence, but that didn’t stop me from reading and loving these books.
“Clockwork Angel” is set in London in 1878. Will and Jem are Shadowhunters. They hunt and kill troublesome demons and help protect mundanes (humans) and downworlders (warlocks, vampires, etc). Shadowhunters have “Marks” on their bodies, that help them fight stronger, heal them, and can even open doors with certain tools. Will and Jem are tracking a troublesome demon, and find a dead girl in the street. She was killed by a demon, and Will wants to find out why… That takes us to Tessa Gray. She is an orphan who’s aunt has just died. Her brother, Nathaniel, sends her a ticket to London and right away, just off the stream boat, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Black promise her that if she behaves, they will take her to her brother. However, the Dark Sisters know Tessa is different. They know she is a shape-shifter. The sisters are training her to use her power and are preparing her for the Magister. Enter Will, who tracks down the pair and helps Tessa…
I’ve been thinking about this next thing a lot since I finished. I think in order to understand and appreciate the story, you should read “The Mortal Instruments” first. The author goes into more detail about the Shadowhunter world. Saying that, if you wanted to start with “Clockwork”, you could. There are just more explanations of this different world in the first three, and I think the characters and this cool world would be understood more with some extra background. What I like most are the Shadowhunters. They are very cool and mysterious.
Cassandra Clare is an amazing author. She truly brings these characters to life and each character is so unique. I will read all of the books in this series, and I’m quite bummed that I have to wait two years for this series to be finished. “Clockwork Prince” will be released in September 2011, and “Clockwork Princess” in November 2012. Some extra good news to Shadowhunter fans… the fourth book in the “Mortal Instruments” series, “City of Fallen Angels” will be released April 5, 2011. (Great birthday present for me :)
Four stars for this book and four for the first three released.
To purchase, click here.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 232010
 

Fallen

Author – Lauren Kate
Publisher – Delacorte Press
Published – December 2009
IBSN13 – 9780385738934
Hardcover – 452 pages
ftc fyi – Borrowed from the library
This was one of those books that caught my eye with the cover. I’d seen it around for a few months and wondered what the story was about, and I was always thinking that I needed to read it. Then, a couple weeks ago, my friend called raving about this book she finished in one day, she knew I would like it too.
“Fallen” is a book about mystery, questions, and figuring out the past. Lucinda Price is sent to Sword and Cross because she is thought of as a menace, someone who is possibly dangerous. Something happened in her past that even she can’t remember all the details about. In Sword and Cross the reds (cameras) follow you everywhere and you can’t even have your cell phone. Luce meets some bizarre kids on her first day. Many she’s not sure she can trust, but hopes that she can. Yet, the first time she sees Daniel Grigori, there is a hint of recognition there she can not place and things about him she can’t ignore.
I liked most the mystery of it all. Not the mystery of crime solving :), just the figuring everyone out and their intentions toward Luce. Luce is pursued by Cam, a repeat at Sword and Cross. He brings her in and shows her the ropes. Arriane, and Penn are friendly too. They are always trying to get her away from Cam, but why? But, Cam wants her away from Daniel… What will she do and who will she choose? Luce does have some secrets of her own. As she is tries to figure out her surroundings, the past, what happened and why it happened on the night that changed her life forever, she could even be in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a darker story, but I was fascinated by all the characters. Some were spookier then others, and a few have wild secrets of their own. I mostly enjoyed Daniel, figuring him out, and why he did what he did, and why all out avoids anything to do with Luce at first. As I was reading, I felt on edge, with butterflies in my stomach wondering what would happen next. (but all in a good way)
The sequel “Torment” comes out September 28, and I will read that.
4 stars

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 052010
 


The Necromancer

Author: Michael Scott
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 2010
Hardcover: 385 pages
ISBN: 978-0-385-73531-5
FYC FYI- I bought my own copy
“The Necromancer” is the fourth book in the ” The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel” series. This book was awesome, held my attention, and left me wanting more. “The Warlock” will be the next released and last in the series is “The Enchantress”. I did some research to try and find a release date for “The Warlock”, but I was unsuccessful. (So, if you find anything, let me know.) I’m sure it’s because “The Necromancer” was just released :). That’s what is so hard about loving a series, is you have to learn to wait.
I would not read this book without reading the other three. Only a week has passed since the start of the series. And, a lot has happened. You might ask yourself, “Why is she reviewing book four then?” And, I really don’t have an answer, only that I would want you to read the whole series. You won’t be sorry.
Here’s the basics on the story: Josh and Sophie Newman are twins. Josh works for Mr. Fleming at his book store and Sophie works at a coffee shop where Mrs. Fleming is a customer. However, The Flemings have a secret. They aren’t who they say they are, and the two have been searching for the twins of legend… for centuries. There is an enemy of “Fleming’s”, his name is John Dee, he is also searching for something. Something that will help him complete all his plans of destruction and earn him favor with the Dark Elders.
There isn’t much else I can say without revealing anything spoilerish. However, every book brings interesting problems, magic, power, mystery, and mind-blowing characters. I love this series. It is very fast-paced and well written. I didn’t want to read it too fast in order to savor every detail slowly, but I couldn’t put it down. I love how the author executes the chapters. They are short, but you jump back and forth from one exciting situation to the next, and there’s always a cliffhanger that makes you continue reading. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, or the series for that matter.
4 1/2 stars for “The Necromancer” and the other three in the series.
I cannot wait for the next and I would read anything from this author.
Reviewed by Mindy