It's a Little Like Sleeping With the Enemy Only with Kids.

My Rating: 3/5

Review: I started out thinking this book was wonderful, but it got so boring in the middle that I was far too ready to get to the end. It's a storyline that has been done many times over, and there's really nothing new here except for the characters. I liked Katie, Alex, and the kids. I liked the area they were living in, and I liked Jo, Katie's neighbor who ends up being something way more. The ending was typical and not typical, but it didn't make me feel anything except that I was glad that it ended well.

Book Description: When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Shapechanger in Victorian London

My Rating: 5/5

Review: I was completely taken in by this book from beginning to end. It was full of suspense, adventure, action, and exciting characters. I do have to warn you, however, that it does leave you hanging most cruelly at the very end. I am so anxious to read the next book that I can barely contain myself.

Book Description: Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Ghost in the Garden

My Rating: 4/5

Review: Very good book, but that's what I expect from one of my favorite authors. I loved reading about the big old house and the business side of running a nursery. I love gardening, so this book fit right in with that. The big old house is haunted, of course, so that was fun too. I am definitely curious about the Harper Bride who haunts the children's bedroom, singing a lullaby to them every night. The romance between Logan and Stella was good too, and I loved their constant banter. I'll definitely be continuing on with the trilogy.

Book Description: Trying to escape the ghosts of the past, young widow Stella Rothchild, along with her two energetic little boys, has moved back to her roots in southern Tennessee-and into her new life at Harper House and In the Garden nursery. She isn't intimidated by the house-nor its mistress, local legend Roz Harper. Despite a reputation for being difficult, Roz has been nothing but kind to Stella, offering her a comfortable new place to live and a challenging new job as manager of the flourishing nursery. As Stella settles comfortably into her new life, she finds a nurturing friendship with Roz and with expectant mother Hayley. And she discovers a fierce attraction with ruggedly handsome landscaper Logan Kitridge

But someone isn't happy about the budding romance...the Harper Bride. As the women dig into the history of Harper House, they discover that grief and rage have kept the Bride's spirit alive long past her death. And now, she will do anything to destroy the passion that Logan and Stella share...

Ramona #4

My Rating: 4/5

Review: My son and I are really enjoying the Ramona books. This one seemed like it was going to be too gloomy, since Ramona's dad loses his job, but it wasn't at all. I did squirm a little bit in regards to the smoking at first, but it's a good way for kids to see that it's a bad habit I suppose. As usual, Ramona is such a treat to read about.

Book Description: Second grade is not turning out the way it should for Ramona Quimby. Her dad has lost his job, her mom has found a full-time job, and her big sister Beezus has "reached a difficult age." In her inimitable way, Ramona decides to take charge. She practices TV commercials in hopes of earning a million dollars, but only ends up insulting her teacher and getting into a prickly mess with some burrs. Then she embarks on a campaign to make her father stop smoking. Mr. Quimby manages to hold up under all these strains, but the challenge is on for the whole family to prove their mettle.

The Magic of Childhood

Book Quote: "Arundel Cottage was not only yellow, it was the creamiest, butteriest yellow the Penderwicks had ever seen. It was all a cottage is supposed to be, small and snug, with a front porch, pink climbing roses, and lots of trees for shade."

My Rating: 5/5

Review: This was such a fun little book that I ended up reading on my own, because my son didn't like the fact that there were no pictures. Each Penderwick daughter was unique and precious in her own way. Rosalind, the eldest, is much more mature than her age and acts as mother to her younger sisters. Next we have Skye who is the more adventurous sister and tends to get into trouble with her outspoken and rambunctious ways. Jane is the the third daughter, the dreamer. She's the little writer, and of course, my favorite. The youngest is Batty, who is sweet and shy, but adventurous and full of imagination. There's also the boy they meet on their summer vacation. His name is Jeffrey, who is every bit as adventurous and rambunctious as all of the sisters put together. It was feel good story about the love of sisters, the joy of friendship, the occasional unfairness of childhood, and there can always be a happy ending.

Book Description:While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.

Shadowhunters

My Rating: 4/5

Review:I had a few moments of not quite wanting to continue with this book, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I ended up enjoying it a lot. It is full of adventure, suspense, and surprises around every turn. I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the series.

Book Description: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....