Night World #1 (Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder) by L.J. Smith

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

There are three different books in Night World #1.

 

In Secret Vampire, we meet Poppy and James who are best friends.  But James has a secret – he’s a vampire.  And when Poppy is diagnosed with cancer, James offers her a chance at eternal life.  

 

In Daughters of Darkness three vampire sisters run away to live with their aunt and among humans.  Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.

 

And finally, in Spellbinder, two witch cousins fight over the same crush.  It’s a battle of white magic vs. black magic.

 

I highly enjoyed all three of these stories.  They’re fun, and they pulled me into a world where those that live in the Night World (vampires, witches, shape shifters, etc) are not allowed to really have any interaction with humans – at the very least, they’re definitely not allowed to date.  All three stories are intertwined.  The main characters in all three of the stories are somehow related.  Any fan of vampire/paranormal fiction would probably enjoy these titles.  I can’t wait until Night World #2 is released!

 

Reviewed by Sara.

Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Note: This book is officially published in September 2008. It is on order in the Adams County Library System catalog; it may be placed on hold.

Cassius, a slave on the Sweetsmoke Plantation in tobacco country Virginia in 1862, has no idea what it means to be free. He does have a little bit more leeway than other slaves; he is his master Hoke Howard’s carpenter, which saves him from toiling in the tobacco fields like the other slaves. When Cassius learns Emoline Justice, a kindly freed black woman who helped Cassius through a very difficult period in his life several years before, is found murdered in her home, Cassius feels justified to find her killer. He soon discovers Emoline’s connection to the spy network in the area and begins a list of suspects. His obsession to find Emoline’s killer leads him to places he had never dreamed of before and allows him to slowly start thinking about the world outside slavery and what it means to be free.

This historical fiction novel by Fuller brings together elements of mystery and romance to create a fantastic historical account of slavery on a Virginia plantation. It is quite clear from the beginning of the novel that Cassius is not a regular slave – besides having fewer restrictions at Smeetsmoke than any other slave owned by Hoke Howard, he can also read and write. Though written in third person, the reader experiences everything through Cassius’ eyes as he witnesses scenes at times heart wrenching and at other times horribly graphic. I could feel his pain and suffering, his grief and his triumphs, his fears and his satisfactions. The mystery aspect of the novel has a little twist at the end, which left both Cassius and me surprised.

Fuller’s choice of writing style, providing no quotations around the slaves’ words, is very interesting. For me, it made the narrative very moving. This choice further shows the separation of slaves from whites and even freed blacks.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has read a slave narrative or has an interest in Civil War fiction. Though it took me a little bit longer to read than some books I have read lately, Sweetsmoke is indeed a wonderfully powerful novel and one of the best books I have read this year.

Reviewed by Jessica

Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell

Age Level: Adult

Format: Book

 

Jill Breck was simply doing her job when she saved the life of Lane Faroe, the son of two very important people associated with St. Kilda’s Consulting.  When a string of malicious events - beginning with the suspicious fire that killed her great-aunt - culminates in a threat on her life, Jill reluctantly calls in the favor that Faroe promised her.  Enter Zach Balfour who works part-time as a consultant for St. Kilda.  He is an effective bodyguard that will race with Jill to uncover a murderer,

 

This is the third book in Lowell’s St. Kilda Consulting series.  It’s pretty much a standalone, however it wouldn’t hurt to read the first two (The Wrong Hostage and Innocent as Sin) simply to learn who the major players in St. Kilda are.  The main characters, Jill and Zach, are very strong and are simply the best part of the book.  

 

This isn’t my favorite book of Lowell’s.  Some parts, especially the end, seemed far to rushed to me.  However, it’s a great beach read and has just enough suspense to keep you hooked.  All in all, it was a pretty good read.

 

Reviewed by Sara.

Summer Blowout by Claire Cook

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Bella Shaughnessy’s life hasn’t been the easiest lately. After breaking up with her husband, she discovers her half-sister Sophia is the new woman in his life. It doesn’t help that she and Sophia, as well as basically everyone else in the family, work together in the family-owned beauty salon. Because of her recent problems in love, Bella decides that she will swear off men forever. She keeps that promise to herself until she meets Sean Ryan, an entrepreneur who not only helps Bella establish a new business opportunity, but also shows Bella how to move on with her life. Add to the mix a small dog that Bella happens to “receive” from a client and a cast of wacky characters and you get the best description of Bella’s life: complicated.

Summer Blowout is a light and fluffy fast read, one that would be perfect to read on the beach. It does have its moments of laugh out humor and quirky situations, some of which seem to be too unbelievable to be true. For example, the family dynamics creates some interesting situations. I felt the characters were a bit one-dimensional; you never really get to know any of them, except perhaps Bella. There were many beauty tips throughout the novel, including references to dozens of different colors and makeup companies.

I did enjoy reading the book. Like much chick lit, you don’t have to think about situations in the novel, except if you are trying to figure out how each family member fits into the Shaughnessy clan. Summer Blowout is a quick way to escape from reality…just be glad you don’t have Bella’s family!

Reviewed by Jessica

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

In this nonfiction book, Eric Weiner is not a happy person. Despite the fact that he has several self-help titles on his bookshelf and has a successful career as a NPR correspondent, Weiner just does not feel happy. He ponders, where can one achieve happiness? Thus starts his global trek to countries known for their happy citizens and to countries known for their not so happy citizens. From Switzerland to Moldova, from India to the United States, Weiner's quest for happiness takes him to some unusual places and introduces some pretty happy people to the readers. Weiner's re-evaluation of his happiness at the end of the book will also make readers re-evaluate their own level of happiness.

I really enjoyed Weiner's sense of humor and adventure. Throughout the book, Weiner reveals a little bit about himself to the reader, including his strange obsession with bags (he apparently has a closet full of them at his home). However, what struck me the most about this book is the way everyone defines happiness differently. Weiner talks to some people who are living in poverty or are in poor health, thinking that their happiness levels compared to others in better circumstances would be lower, yet they are just as happy, if not happier. I wanted to read this book because it is a partial travelogue, and I love to travel vicariously through books; I was not disappointed with Weiner's adventures or with the message at the end of the book.

Reviewed by Jessica