A Teen read that speaks to all ages

If You Could Only Choose Your Mother
Julie Harford
Samhain
2008
ISBN 159987317
YA
****1/2



Five years ago, Marcie's mother walked out, and in the intervening years, her dad has dated some. The latest one is Eva, a rather maternal type who is actually older than he is, but all her good qualities only make Marcie resent her more; not that she wants her mother back, she just doesn't want another woman there either. Nor is she thrilled when her absentee parenet demands that she and her brother come spend the summer in New York and to her wedding. Her attempts to cope with that only lead to arguments and humiliating incidents. Her best friend getting into trouble only adds to the tension, but then, something good happens and Marcie finally discovers what might be true love. With things looking up, Marcie is actually happy, until tragedy strikes and she is forced to face one of the scariest things that can happen to a teen, or to an adult for that matter. In the crisis though, she learns many very important things.



I have often advised adult readers to partake of young adult books, and this is no exception. Though darker than you might expect a teen book to be, the realism of it is never crass or overly depressing. Furthermore, the bleak moments make the light shine through all the more clearly when it comes. Marcie's is a powerful story, one that will get into your heart. Having watched my own dad suffer ill health, I have to say, those scenes almost hit too close to home, and made me wish I could hug the characters involved.

Vampire in my dreams

Vampire In My Dreams
Terry Spear
Samhain
2008
ISBN 1-59998-666-3
YA Paranormal
****

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Ironically, it is when Marissa is hunting vampires that she meets her soul mate, who happens to be almost a vampire. Dominic has one shot at escaping a dark destiny, and the moment he sees Marissa, he knows she is the key to his return to being a normal human. Fortunately or unfortunately, Marissa is not a plain vanilla human; she's a witch, so he can't compel her cooperation, he has to win it. As soon as she truly comprehends what danger he is in and begins to love him, Marissa can't do otherwise, though, even if she is ticked about a slip up that could doom her as well. With time running out, the young couple has to defeat the dangerous female who sired Dominic or lose their souls forever.



Anyone who loves vampire stories should get this, regardless of their age. The legends are updated and reinvented with a fresh spin that holds your interest from the outset. There is just enough angst and tension to give this book an edge, yet light moments keep it from being dark or grim in any way. This is a world I'd gladly revisit. Ms. Spears' characters are believable, even with their gifts and powers, making them easy to care about.

Non book rview- but important

I offer traditional proofreading for basic grammar and spelling errors, reading for the flow of the prose, continuity and logic issues; such as plot holes, believability, repetitive words, and characterization, and fact checking. For an added fee, research assistance can be contracted. Also, I can provide a summary blurb for a book back cover.

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Midnight Alley Morganville III

Midnight Alley
Morganville Vampires 3
Rachel Caine
Oct
Jam
ISBN 0803715358
YA paranormal
****1/2



One thing about Morganville you need to know before moving there is that the solutions to problems have new problems inherent inside them. Becoming Amelie, the founder of the vampire line's, protectee was supposed to make things better for Claire and those she loves. So far, it's just added to her burdens. Her "patron" has ordered the girl to study with an insane vampire alchemist, working on a top secret project to what end she does not know. The meanest girl in town, the one who set the chain of events into motion that put Claire into the Glass House, Monica, now wants to be her best friend. There must be an ulterior motive. Two of her housemates are at each others' throats, which is only natural since Shane is the son of a vampire hunter and Michael is now a vampire. Claire finds herself the focus of too much attention and not knowing who to trust in the vampyric political games that turn human lives into chess pieces.



If you love complex stories in well built worlds, then it's time to take a trip to Morganville. Each new entry into the series fits neatly after the last and ends in such a way as to make you hunger for the next one to resolve the questions opened at its conclusion. Whatever your age, it will be impossible not to be fascinated by this edgy, unfolding drama.