"In Focus" by Anna Jacobs [3 1/2]

When a new feature on Pete Newbury's popular TV programme shows his adult image digitally transformed to that of a young child, Beth is shocked to realize he's her 'baby' brother, who vanished without trace thirty-eight years ago. Her mother, who has never recovered from the loss, desperately needs closure, but Pete makes it clear he doesn't want to know his birth family.

To further complicate matters, Beth finds herself falling in love with Pete's cousin and manager, Edward. At the same time Beth's runaway daughter reappears, complete with child, and Beth is terrified of losing her again. It's not easy to build bridges and bring family together after so many years and so much heartache, and she may lose the man she loves in the process ...

This is the first time I've read from this author and she has written dozens of books. A really interesting story that has strong characters and a plot that keeps you very interested. The cover is what initially drew me to the book, it is quite pretty with the blossom tree on the front.
It's an interesting concept to write a story about how you would feel if you had a brother or sister that was kidnapped at a young age and how you would react if you found them alive years later. The book is well written and it does keep you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens. It's a great book to take on holiday as it's a fairly light read and with only just over 230 pages you'll finish it quickly. I enjoyed it, wouldn't totally rave on about it and that's why I didn't rate it any higher.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr [4]

Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.

Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans - and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the Faerie realm mean losing each other?

Fourth book in this series and it has all that the rest have... romance, danger and intrigue. It's breathtaking, complex and involving and you won't rest until you've finished the novel.
So what's it about?

Ani has been born to a half-faerie mother and a Hound for a father and her abilities are unique. She needs to feed from emotions but also from skin contact. Ani feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere and her father treats her with kid gloves ... then she meets Devlin.
Devlin was made for one purpose and that was as an assassin for the High Queen, he has given his whole life to serve her and the faerie court. But something is missing in his life ...then he has to assassinate Ani as a child, which he couldn't do. Years later they meet again and the sparks fly.
Many secrets have been kept from both of them and as they struggle to survive against those that would have them dead, they realize that the fate of Faerie is a stake as well as their own lives.

This series is fast becoming one of my favourites. I love the authors writing style, it's very easy to read and you absolutely get lost in the story. This one will definitely have another to read as it's left with a ending ... well that doesn't end.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"The Body Finder" by Kimberly Derting [5]

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her 'power' to sense dead bodies - or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world ... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer - and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer ... and becoming his prey herself.

Oh Wow this book was truly amazing for a first novel, it is definitely a must read.
So it's about a young girl who has the ability to find dead people by the echoes they leave behind. It is also about the blooming relationship between her best friend Jay and herself. I really enjoyed the way the author has turned a life long friendship and has slowly changed the characters feelings to realize that they are falling in love with each other and how they react to these feelings.

A love story and a thrilling suspense novel all wrapped into one. You won't want too put it down until you've completely finished it.

Beautiful front cover and really well written, a great book for young adults{16 and over}. I would love the author to write a second novel to this book.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"Rebel" by RJ Anderson [4 1/2]

Linden's caged glowed with fiery heat, burning her fingers when she tried to cling to the bars. She fluttered helplessly in midair, wing muscles aching with the effort, knowing that she couldn't hover much longer before her strength gave out - and that the moment it did, she would die...

A Magical second novel to the first, "Knife" and I think this was even better. Faerie novels seem to be all the rage at the moment and the couple of series that I've picked up have been really great.

Again this series will have a third novel out in Jan 2011 called 'Arrow' and hopefully that will finish it off beautifully.
Linden is a young faerie of 15 years and she has been fostered by 'Knife' or Peri as she is called now. It has been about 14 years since Knife chose to become human and marry Paul and they both do everything in their power to protect the faeries that live in the Oak in the back garden. Linden has been their foster daughter and she has been living in both human and faerie world alike.Things change when their queen dies and Linden is sent on a mission of mercy to save her people.
Timothy is Paul's cousin and he comes to stay with them after getting into trouble at school. Tension in the household is not good and Timothy decides to run away and that's where he meets Linden.

Between the two of them they get into a lot of trouble, but in the end they both save the faeries in the Oak tree...but for how long is the question. Both Linden and Timothy learn the lessons of friendship and trust and how to believe in themselves.

A really great faerie series this turning out to be, because while it's a good story the author has woven into it a few wonderful life lessons on friendship and the importance of believing in yourself. Wonderful novels for young teenage girls. Easy to read, flows beautifully and nothing to worry about in the writing, so suitable for teens.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

Spells" by Aprilynne Pike [4]

A year ago Laurel discovered that she is a faerie, placed among humans when she was a baby. Although she's come to accept her true identity, Laurel refuses to turn her back on her human life - especially her boyfriend, David.

But the faerie realm is in grave danger and when Laurel is summoned, she must trust charismatic faerie-guard Tamani. Laurel's feelings for him are strong, and she is soon forced to make a choice that could break her heart...

The second book in this series and it starts off about six months after where "Wings" the previous book left off. Laurel is summoned to the Academy of Avalon to start learning her role as a faerie and while it is all quite thrilling and adventurous she is struggling to learn the basics as a faerie. Her friendship with the guard Tamani is starting to have an impact on her relationship with her boyfriend David, lines are starting to get blurred.

Then there is the danger of the trolls and Barnes who has been hunting her. Life couldn't be anymore difficult but wait...yes there is always something more and Laurel has to find the "faerie" in her to stay alive.

Really well written second novel to this series....but as usual we have to wait for the next installment!

I probably enjoyed the first book a little more than the second, but that doesn't mean that the series isn't good because it is. Great books for young teenage girls, they will love reading it.
I'm assuming the next installment is out sometime in 2011. Looking forward to it.
Beautiful covers too, I bought the U.K versions but the others are pretty too.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Savour the Moment" by Nora Roberts [5]

Childhood friends Mackensie, Parker, Laurel and Emmaline have formed a very successful wedding-planning business together but, despite helping thousands of happy couples organise the biggest day of their lives, all four women have been unlucky in love.

Chef Laurel McBane has worked hard all her life to secure her dream - to be an award winning baker. Now her wedding cakes are as close as anyone can get to edible perfection - stunning creations that complement Mac's beautiful photographs and Emmaline's floral bouquets.

Because Laurel has worked so hard to overcome her tough upbringing, she is wary about letting anything, or anyone, get in the way of her work. But a slowly simmering chemistry with Parker's brother Del has suddenly become too hot to ignore...

I truly love this series and reading Laurel's story was wonderful. Just imagining all those wonderful cakes that she makes is just mouth-watering. Laurel has been in love with Mac's brother Del since she was a little girl and after a cheeky remark and a kiss he sees her in a different light...Perhaps she isn't the little sister that he's always pretend her to be.

As usual romance doesn't always run smoothly and both Laurel and Del have to come to terms with how they feel about each other and how it will effect everyone else at Vows.

The final installment "Happily Ever After" comes out in December and it will be a thrilling finish to a truly delightful series.

A must read for all those romance fans out there...you won't be disappointed.

I rate this book 5 stars.

'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' by Muriel Barbery

Renee is the
concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building on the Left Bank.
To the residents she is honest, reliable and uncultivated - an ideal concierge. But Renee
has a secret. Beneath this conventional facade she is passionate about culture and the arts, and
more knowledgeable in many ways than her self-important employers.

Down in her lodge, Renee is resigned to living a lie; meanwhile, several floors up, twelve-year-old
Paloma Josse is determined to avoid a predictably bourgeois future, and plans to commit suicide
on her thirteenth birthday.

But the death of one of their priviledge neighbours will bring dramatic change to number 7,
Rue de Grenelle, altering the course of both their lives forever.

Book club read for May