Sage's Eyes by V.C. Andrews

Description
Expected publication: January 26th 2016 by Pocket Books
"From V.C. Andrews, bestselling author of Flowers in the Attic (the first in a series of Lifetime movie events about the Dollanganger family), comes the tale of a young girl kept under the watchful eye of her adoptive parents, as if they fear who—or what—she’ll become…

Sixteen-year-old Sage is a lonely child. Her adoptive parents watch her obsessively, as if studying her for warning signs of…something. And maybe they’re right to—even she can’t make sense of the strange things she sees and hears. She possesses knowledge that other teenagers don’t, that her parents and teachers—no adult—could possibly have. So when Sage finally makes a friend who understands her alarming gift, he becomes her confidant, a precarious link to the truth about who she really is. For Sage and the alluring new boy at school share many things in common. Perhaps, they’ll learn, far too many things."


This was a quick read. It is the engrossing story of an adopted child who feels different to everyone else. Poor Sage wants so badly to fit in and have friends and be like other teens. Though not so badly that she can stop talking about things she should have no knowledge of. Sage has vivid memories of things that could not possibly have happened to her, at least not in this lifetime. She knows things about other people that she has no way of knowing. Every time she opens her mouth she seems to be a constant source of embarrassment to her parents who warn her repeatedly not to speak of these visions she has. She is barely allowed out of the house and always under interrogation by her parents over every little detail. They seem to be studying her and treat her  more like an exhibit or a lab rat than a daughter. She is never allowed to question her parents or know her relatives other than an uncle. They refuse to answer any questions about her birth mother. Sage begins to suspect that all is not what it seems with her adoptive parents and she is determined to discover the truth about them and about herself. The relationship between the parents seemed somewhat underdeveloped to me but I enjoyed this story and wonder what the future has in store for Sage. She is a very strong character and I doubt this will be the last we hear of her.
available for preorder at amazon

I received an advance copy for review

All Is Bright: A Hope Beach Christmas Novella by Colleen Coble

Description
"A romantic, Christmas wedding at her seaside hotel gives Delilah a chance to shine with her unique gifts. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say I do ?

As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. While picking up still more twinkly lights and some last-minute groceries for the reception dinner, a huge truck runs her off the freezing, wet roads into the dark night. Her car stops just short of an enormous tree and the truck speeds off into the night. Delilah escapes with her life and has almost convinced herself the whole thing was an accident, but then she begins to receive threatening phone calls. With the wedding just hours away, she s distracted and anxious. Then Sheriff Tom Bourne stops by the inn and volunteers to help.

Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he s determined to protect her. But he is pulled away by a bizarre Christmas stunt that has the neighborhood reeling, and Delilah is attacked again.

Will Delilah have to cancel the Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn? And will Tom s protection be enough to save Delilah from the shadowy figure looming in the background?"

Poor Delilah! A sweet lady with a tragic past, Delilah loves to take care of others and couldn't possibly have any enemies. Or could she? Someone seems to be out to get her.
This was a quick, fun, read. If you are looking for a bit of mystery and romance with your Christmas cheer this is the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy for review

About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com Twitter: @colleencoble Facebook: colleencoblebooks

Dark Shadows by Toni Vallan

 

Description
"My name’s Ella Raimi.
Until last week, my life was pretty normal for a sixteen-year-old. Until I spent that awful night trapped in the janitor's closet in utter darkness. Until the dreams began — suffocating, panic-filled dreams. My best friend Kyla stays with me, but the dreams still continue. And I wake each morning with cuts & burns on my skin. I don’t recall inflicting them.

And then there is the blood on my hands and my sheets when I wake up.

I’m afraid of myself and what I've done.

And I'm beginning to be more afraid of Kyla. And what she will do."

Genre :Horror/Thriller

Ella has been bullied ever since she started a new high school. She is there on scholarship and made to feel unwelcome and unwanted and a "charity" case by the more privileged students who run wild and do as they please, knowing there will be no consequences brought against them by the ineffective principal. One day this bullying goes too far and Ella is left locked in a closet over night. After this incident she begins having nightmares and waking with injuries she didn't have when she went to sleep. Her only friend Kyla wants revenge on Ella's behalf but Ella is feeling helpless and hopeless and does not want to name her attackers. As Kyla begins acting more hostile and Ella's problems begin to escalate we learn the truth about this friendship and a tragic past that could not be escaped. I thoroughly enjoyed this taut psychological thriller.

I received an advance copy for review

Whistling Women By Kelly Romo

 
 

Description
"Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she’s been running from dark memories ever since. For fifteen years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world’s fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.

Addie isn’t the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it’s not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.

Set against the backdrop of the 1935 world’s fair, Whistling Women explores the complex relationships between sisters, the sacrifices required to protect family, and the devastating consequences of a single impulsive act."


As a fan of historical fiction I really fell in love with this book. This is the story of 2 sets of sisters. We learn through flashbacks to 1918 about the relationship between Wavey and her sister Addie, and the awful circumstances under which they became separated. In the "present day" of the book's setting in the 1930s We have the relationship between the two sisters Rumor and Mary who are Wavey's daughters, growing up under Wavey's roof, without their father. The author paints a vivid and poignant picture of life in the early 1900s and the hardships faced, especially by women and children in those days. The story was beautifully descriptive from the excitement of the World's Fair to the lack of appropriate care for orphaned children.  This is a haunting story of the love between sisters, and the love of a mother for her daughters, and what she is willing to sacrifice to keep them all safe.

I received an advance copy for review