New For Me--In More Ways Than One!

Skindancer, Book One:  Frost Moon by Anthony Francis
(Adults Only)

As soon as I started this book, I knew I probably wouldn’t like.  The main character, Dakota Frost, and I could not have been more different.  She is over 6 feet; I’m 5’4” on a really tall day.  She is muscular and intimidating; I can occasionally make it 20 full minutes on a treadmill.  She is a tattoo artist with her body a masterpiece of work; I have been known to faint after a flu shot.  She is young and hip; I vaguely remember young but can’t even guess how to be hip.  She obliterates the mores of sexuality; I have been married to my college sweetie for almost 20 years.  She hangs out with werecreatures and biker dudes; I teach middle school (okay, maybe that one isn’t too dissimilar!)

We had absolutely nothing in common.  There was no way I was going to be able to connect with this character or this book.

And yet……..

Slowly, without me realizing it, she had me hooked.  With all of our dissimilarities, I discovered how very much we had in common.  Then I really started to like her.  She is one kick-butt heroine with a soft marshmallow center she doesn’t want anyone else to see.

The best way to describe the plot?  It is noir/goth vampire murder mystery with werewolves and other creatures of the night thrown in.  That’s the best way to describe this mess.  I mean mess in the highest complimentary way, though.  That’s the real strength of this book.  It’s like you’re traveling along in this girl’s messy life, trying to figure out who is bad and good and what should she say and/or do to not offend and just get along the best she can.  (See what I mean about having stuff in common?  Surely, suddenly!, I’m not the only one whose life is too complicated.)

The plot twists and turns were unexpected and thrilling; the secondary characters were intriguing and scary; the setting was fascinating—everything about this book worked for me.  There is plenty here for a lengthy series with new adventures. 

Did I mention the magical tattoos?  The real strength of this book, and this series, is going to be this new genre of magic.  I have honestly never read a book about doing magic with tattoos and love the concept.  The author made all those inks and colors leap off the page and into my imagination.  I can say I’ve never read anything like it before and I loved it.

Maybe enough to get my own tattoo?  Well, I’ve have to read the second book to decide for sure.

New Kid on the Paranormal Teen Block

Girl Vs. Ghost:  Misdirected Magic, Book One by Kate McMurry and Marie August
(Adolescents and Up)

These are just the kinds of books I like—feisty female main character, just enough supernatural to keep things spooky and a storyline with a mystery I can really sink my teeth into.  Too often, though, many of these books make big promises and then fall short-undeveloped characters, unbelievable plot, trite or rehashed storylines.  This one, however, was a delightful surprise.  Right from the start, I really liked the main character, Isabel, and was drawn into the story right away.

Isabel is a reluctant participant in her friend Tripp’s hobbies, especially the newest one involving magic.  When a sleepover turned séance goes dreadfully wrong, Isabel is shocked when a young boy falls from her ceiling.  That shock turns to horror when she discovers the boy is actually a ghost.  After that, things goes from bad to worse as Isabel learns he is somehow tied to her and the only way she can get rid of him is to help him discover the circumstances surrounding his death.

Isabel was funny with just the right amount of sass—I had no trouble believing in her or her motivations or actions.  I felt as if I were living the story through her and would have reacted the exact same way.  The other characters in the book were just as believable and delightful.  Tripp, Isabel’s bff, is just the kind of person I would want to hang out with—funny, interesting and doesn’t back down from a challenge.  I hope she plays more of a role in another book.  Tripp is strong enough to carry her own story.

What I liked most of all about the story was the storyline.  This genre of paranormal and paranormal romance has some real duds with most books just rehashing the same old plot over and over again.  This one had something new and that’s what kept me going, kept me interested until the last page.  I really didn’t know and couldn’t predict what was going to happen next.  I loved the humor; felt the frustrations; liked the flirting; and was disappointed when the story ended!

Overall, a great read and a series I intend to follow.

A Chilling Summer Read

The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg

(Adult Thriller)

What is it about Swedish writers that chill me to the bone? I wonder if it is the subconscious thought of a cold and biting landscape; perhaps those Swiss commercials for hot chocolate and throat drops? No matter the reason, Camilla Lackberg and The Preacher left me chilled and shivering the whole book through!

This second installment in the series is set in the coastal town of Fjallabacka and brings back the main character of Erica Falk, who is now side-lined with the  impending birth of her first child. This novel shifts focus to the local police force which includes the father of her baby, Peter. Peter is lead investigator on the report of a missing girl that soon turns to a death investigation.  This murder is just the first in a string of missing young women.  While Erika does some assisting with her investigative research skills, Peter is the real detective and lead investigator.  He is also responsible for his detective team, a hodge-podge of local yokels who do little but slow him down and boggle the investigation.  Peter has more than that to contend with, though, as his one case soon turns into a manhunt for a possible serial killer.

This book is a delight for some many reasons--it is as frightening as it is funny. I ran the full gamut of emotions while reading and found myself reluctant to put the book down for even a moment until I finished the whole thing. Lackberg's writing style is masterful as she draws the reader cleverly in, making us care about every character in the book. While the mystery and killings are puzzling and brilliantly done, the best part of the story really takes place in the lives of the characters and their relationships to one another.  This is one of the few books that I’ve read where I became emotionally invested in every character, both main and secondary, likable and unlikable.  It started to feel less like a book and more real, with each character becoming a person, with motives and aims that was a puzzle to me.  I kept asking myself, ‘How does this fit?’  ‘Why is he acting this way/saying these things?’.

Overall, one of the best murder mysteries/thrillers I’ve read in a long time.  The only bad news?  Now, it’s one more series that I’ll HAVE to follow—it’s that good!  But don't take it from me; read an excerpt for yourself:

Open Road Publishing Excerpt

Some information about the author:  Born in 1974, Camilla Läckberg graduated from Gothenburg University of Economics, before moving to Stockholm where she worked for a few years as an economist. However, a course in creative writing triggered a drastic change of career. Her first six novels all became Swedish No. 1 bestsellers. She lives in a suburb of Stockholm.

If you're sold, then are some easy links for purchasing:

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Amazon

Sony Reader Store

Apple iTunes

An Interview with Author Melissa Lemon

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Melissa Lemon, author of the upcoming Cinder and Ella.  Our chat about fairy tales, princesses and clumsy husbands leads me to believe I have more in common with Cinderella than I thought!

What were your favorite fairy tales as a young person?

     "Cinderella was my favorite, the reasons being that she’s not a princess (neither am I) and I always seemed to be cleaning."

Did you ever find fairy tales to be scary, funny or serious?

   "All of the above!  Each one holds a bit of seriousness—something tragic has happened or is happening.  Fairy tales have to be scary to hold our suspense and interest.  And a little laughter makes the ride even more enjoyable."

Did you ever learn anything from fairy tales?

   "Each fairy tale has something to teach.  Snow White taught me that kindness wins hearts.  From Cinderella I learned that hard work, a positive attitude, and perseverance pay off.  And Alice in Wonderland helped me realize that falling into holes is not such a good thing."

Why do you think fairy tales are still around and still being read today?

    "I think they represent something from our childhood that we loved and that we can go back to again and again and nobody will think we’re crazy for doing so.  There are so many things we do as kids that we’re expected to give up.  You might think I’m bizarre if you see me sitting in a corner playing with dolls and talking to myself (something my 4 year old does all the time) or if I run around in circles screaming at the top of my lungs (something my 6 year old does when I let her).  Reading fairy tales is perhaps the only thing from our childhood we’re allowed to hold onto."

Why should young people still be interested in fairy tales?

    "Fairy tales bring together people of all ages and cultures.  They provide an escape from reality while teaching us about it.  In short, fairy tales are AMAZING and POWERFUL.  Who wouldn’t want to read them?  (They’re also fun to write as well.)"

In your opinion, why has there been such a resurgence of retellings of fairy tales lately?

   "I think it is because we love them so much and we want to make them fit into our world the way we know it.  It has been fun to see all of the supernatural and paranormal twists taken on these timeless stories.  It makes them accessible and entertaining for new generations."

You have retold the story of "Cinderella" from another perspective.  What made you decide to split that into two different people?

    "I’m not sure.  It probably comes a little from my middle child syndrome.  I am #4 of 5 in my family and have the perfect personality to go unnoticed--quiet, independent.  Even in school I knew what it was like to be the good, diligent, quiet one who never needed anything."

It seems as if you favored the character of Ella more so than Cinder.  Why is that?

   "I think there are two reasons.  One is that more happens to Ella.  Cinder starts as the proactive one but that quickly changes and Ella decides to take everything into her own hands.  It worked well with the plot to follow Ella on her adventures rather than to stay at the castle with Cinder.  It may also be because I understand Ella more and relate to her better.  Cinder is entirely too nice for me to relate to."

Why did you decide to make the "Prince Charming" character NOT a prince and such a klutz? (I loved that about the book, by the way!)

   "Okay, my husband is going to kill me, but he gave me the idea.  My head is in the perfect range for an accidental flying elbow from time to time.  He has stepped on me and whacked me with things as well (all on accident…I think).  Let’s just say I would never let him help me off of a horse, but I love him anyway.  Making the prince evil was a part of making this story different from other retellings.  And who doesn’t love (I mean hate) an evil prince?"

Where did you get the idea for the life connection to trees?

    "I only wish I knew.  I have a life long love of trees—climbing them, hugging them (aspens are the most huggable), being around them, looking at them.  They are a part of my life and I feel a connection to them, so I guess that opened the door for the idea."

What are your future book plans?

   "That is a loaded question.  I have so many ideas it is difficult to keep them straight.  I am currently working on a YA science fiction.  I would like to do somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 more retellings (3 for boys and 2 more for girls).  I may break into the middle grade market at some point since my kids will be there for a while and are great at helping inspire ideas.  I guess the short answer is that I want to keep writing for a very long time."

For more information about Melissa Lemon, check out these links below:
Melissa's Facebook Fan Page
Melissa on Twitter
Melissa's Author Blog
Melissa's Author Page on Goodreads

A Classic Story Retold

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon
(Upper Elementary and Above)

If you’ve ever heard the story of Cinderella, then, according to the author, “you have heard it wrong”!  When I read these words in the first few moments of starting the book, I automatically recoiled.  Seriously, do you know how many versions of Cinderella I’ve read?  (I’m not even counting the Disney knock-off versions!)

Dozens, literally.

And yet, I had truly never read a version even remotely like this one!  This version is so fresh and new that it is certainly a version that bears repeating and retelling and reading.  The author has done some very interesting things with the very idea of the Cinderella and I find myself re-evaluating other heroine stories now, looking deeper into the character in ways I hadn’t before.

Truly, I had never really liked the princess stories because I sure ain’t one of those girls!  However, this Cinder-Ella is one I could identify with.  Lemon has taken the dichotomy of subservient princess and free-thinking princess and split them into two very different sisters-Cinder and Ella.  Cinder, the self-sacrificing princess is the one in all the other tales and the one I have the least patience with.  Seriously, scrubbing for stepsisters and wearing glass slippers so some man will rescue me was never on my wish list. 

But Ella, yeah, her I get.  Sassy, stubborn and REAL.  She is the most realistic un-princess I’ve seen.  I especially love how she takes control of her own destiny and future.  Finally, a fairy tale I feel comfortable for my own daughters to read.

There are other elements that resemble the real story but are just different enough to be delightful.  For example, “prince Charming” isn’t either of those two things.  He is a lowly squire and is the clumsiest fellow I’ve seen (I can totally identify).  It is easy to see how love develops between the two main characters.

Perhaps the most charming thing about the book, though, wasn’t the characters or clever similarities but the author’s obvious art of writing.  The prose is almost musical and reads like a long-lost fairy tale with just enough modern wit and slang thrown in to connect with young readers.    Funny, witty, poetic and real—definitely not your average fairy tell.

Overall, a welcome addition to the retellings genre.

Some links, for your interest:
Melissa Lemon's Blog Tour
Melissa's Facebook Fan Page
Melissa Lemon on Twitter
Melissa Lemon's Author Blog
Melissa Lemon's Author Page on Good Reads

Fully Deserving of the Honor

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaqueline Kelly
(Women or Girls, Adult or Nearly So or Wanting to Be)

This book was a Newberry Honor Award for 2010 and for the life of me, I simply cannot figure out why it didn't win the whole blamed thing.  I pride myself on reading as many of the Honor and Award Winners as I can and this one is the best of the books for several years.

The story involves a young girl named Calpurnia Tate (Callie Vee, because her name is just too atrocious).  Callie lives smack in the middle of a family of 7, with her being the only daughter.  Her family is rather well off and lives on a pecan plantation in Texas.  The book takes place in the year 1899 and revolves around the relationship between Callie and her grandfather.  Captain Tate has always lived with the family but has never really been one of them, interested instead in his own interests--Darwin, reading, study.  All things that a proper young girl of 1899 should not be interested in.

Callie is a girl after my own heart.  She doesn't quite fit in but knows exactly what she wants--something that isn't deemed suitable.  She chafes and groans at the ideas of womanhood, all sewing and cooking and cleaning.  Callie isn't one of 'those girls'.  She wants to be her own kind of person. 

The story is beautifully told and just drips that sweet charm that only a southern book can.  Callie's relationship with her grandfather is touching; with her brothers, hilarious; with her mother, strained; and with the world around her, full of wonder.

I highly recommend this book for young girls and young women.  It is a great lesson in those very things that we still struggle with today but is done in a way that is both tender and honest.  It is a story that, once finished, will stay with you like a good memory.  For me, she has joined the ranks of my other bestest literary friends--Anne of Green Gables and Pippi Longstockings.

In conclusion, a quote from the book..."Ahhh.  Bed, book, kitten, sandwich.  All one needed in life, really."  Especially if the book were this one.