The Scavenger (A Hopps Town Duology #1) - Aidan Lucid

Jared Duval wants Lydia Moran to stop bullying him. He also wants the football captain to like him, even just notice him. And, to know why is he having vivid and scary dreams.

Adrian Cole needs to stay fit for soccer, keep his grades up, study harder. He also misses his mother, who died in a car incident. Aside from all of that, he’s looking for a relationship. The substitute teacher is stunning but why would she be interested in him?

Jessica Barlow craves for her mother’s love. Ever since her dad left them, any affection Bertha has for her daughter is hidden far beneath the verbal and physical abuse, smoking and alcohol.

Will life change for them? 

Hopps Town is small, so it's doubtful. But a chance encounter after the school’s Halloween dance with a seemingly lost girl makes change possible. In pursuit of the runaway girl, they come across an abandoned shack with a well outside. They lean in and all make a wish…

Jessica wakes up to her mother happy and making breakfast. Stunned at this change in attitude, the young girl heads off to school, prepared lunch in hand (she can’t remember when that last happened) in a daze. Is this real?

Adrian’s head is filled with his father’s chastisement of how important going to college is, but these thoughts are soon discarded when he finds a note in his locker. Who is it from and why do they want to meet him?

The nightmares that Jared experiences intensify but unexpectedly, Tom, the handsome football star has suddenly noticed him. Jessica loves her ‘new’ mom and Adrian's new relationship is turning out better than expected. Did those fanciful wishes they made at the well actually come true?

And then Adrian and Jessica encounter the same supernatural occurrences that Jared has. They are dismissive and unsure of what they've seen and felt, but soon become scared as the realization that the wish bestowed upon them comes at a price.

There is something obviously evil that granted their wishes – but what has the death of a disgruntled man back in the late '70s to do with this evil entity and can Jared’s aunt really help the three teenagers get rid of this supernatural being?

The author’s introduction to Hopps Town and its inhabitants is a great beginning. He has managed to entwine some chilling and horrific moments without it being cliché. The emotions of the teens as they experience an abusive mother or peer bullying are real and expressive. His characters are believable as are the episodes of hearing haunting voices and seeing frightening images that plague them.

With novella’s, there is a tendency to be short with descriptions or moments and they can have a slightly disjointed feel. There are elements of this in the book, but Lucid has managed to say a lot in a limited number of words and the overall premise of the book hasn't been lost. And whilst I wished the story could be expanded – more tension created, more dialogue to really get behind the characters -Lucid has still created a story that is exciting, filled with unsettling moments and believable personalities. 

As a YA book the language used is fairly suitable, it skims issues that teens face - sexuality, bullying, acceptance - with some positivity given to these situations but there is a lot of negative attitudes too. However, falling under the genre of horror, it perhaps shouldn't be expected to be teaching lessons of acceptance etc., - the main focus is the battling of evil spirits!

Overall an enjoyable story that is a good grounding for the next installment. It will keep the reader fairly engaged and for them to look forward to what happens next in Hopps Town. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to read and review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to give a positive critique.

Hearts Entwined - Historical Romance Novellas : Witemeyer, Connealy, Jennings, Jagears

The Love Knot: Karen Witemeyer

Since moving from the slums of New York on a fool hardy whim, Claire Nevin has worried about her family she left behind, especially as her father was prone to drink away the hard-earned money that she sent back. So, when a letter arrives from her younger sister, Polly, admitting she’s in trouble, the last thing Claire expects to see walking off the train is Pieter Duran. A man she dated once, but who still holds her heart.

The package he bought is even more surprising and one that turns Claire’s world upside down. However, family is important and she is determined to help Polly. There is a high possibility that Pieter will be able to explain what happened all those years ago between them and that, Claire fears, will mean that there is no reason to not continue to love him.

A sweet novella centering around vibrant characters. 

The Tangled Ties that Bind: Mary Connealy

Returning home after five years determined to win the heart of his best friend, Maggie, Connor Kincaid knows he’s older and possibly wiser, and therefore ready to settle down to be a rancher.

But when he arrives, besides having to steer clear of a buffalo, he finds Maggie, beautiful as ever, only she’s training to be a doctor. Connor expected her to be waiting for him - should he have been naïve to think that?

Maggie will not compromise. She waited for a long time for Connor but no more. Set on a new path to being medically trained, she’s not going to let anyone, even the handsome Connor sway her. When Connor decides to join her in Denver, their lives take an unexpected turn.

A story fuelled by family loyalty, responsibilities and underlying sexism.

Bound and Determined: Regina Jennings

Private Bradley Willis has been reckless – again. This time the punishment is to help retired officer, Captain Herald move a herd across Indian Territory. Expecting cattle, he’s surprised to find camels. They’re not the most attractive of creatures and they spook the horses. Even more of a surprise is the Captain’s vivacious daughter, Ambrosia. For reasons yet unknown, she doesn’t want the camels to head back to her home – she’s managed to scare off a bunch of cowboys. But, Bradley doesn’t scare off easily.

Picking up from the new series by Jennings, Private Willis escapades are taken down a notch or two when he meets a beautiful woman. 

Tied and True: Melissa Jagears

Marianne Lister is helplessly in love with business assistant Calvin Hochstetler. The only thing getting in their way is Calvin’s obstinacy over the difference in status. Marianne is heiress to the Lister fortune and Calvin has just enough money to live on.

Calvin knows what it’s like to live hand to mouth and he doesn’t want Marianne to ever experience that want. He lets her down gently and hopes, no matter how it hurts, that she meets someone who will give her the life she deserves. Determined to prove that love can cross the class barrier, Marianne starts work at a cotton factory. Will Calvin see that the woman he’s in love with cannot be compared to the mother who abandoned him when they became too poor?

An unexpected premise of class being an obstruction to being happy.

These four stand alone novellas all have likeable characters and good plots. They cram a lot in to a short story and whilst I found that it gave a slightly hurried feel to the stories, nothing was really lost. There is a link to previous novels, but the stories still work and if anything, encouraged me to read the authors other novels. Overall, they are all well written and I think a good introduction for anyone wanting to read historical romances and not sure where to start.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger program. The opinions express are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Appalachian Serenade: A Novella (Appalachian Blessings) Sarah Loudin Thomas

Delilah Morrissey's dreams of being a mother are shattered when she becomes a widow. Not that the loss of her husband is that great, but becoming a mother - that's left a longing.

Moving back to West Virginia to live with her sister and husband, she leaves Chicago with a heavy heart. Arriving in Wise, the small town where her sister lives, Delilah endeavours to pull her weight - despite the grumblings of her brother-in-law.

When she meets Robert Thornton, owner of the town store she's not sure what to think. It has been a long time since she saw him last. When an opportunity for her to work at his store arises, she jumps at the chance.

Robert is thrown when he meets Delilah after so many years. His attraction to her is immediate but even when it's confirmed she is a widow, he knows he can't pursue her - she wants the one thing he can't give her.

Will working together be a problem? Will Delilah want to have a relationship with Robert when she finds out the reason why he's been holding back in pursuing her?

Novella's sometimes get bad press of being too quick and not allowing for development of people or place. This isn't the case here. Thomas has created warm, inviting characters with real depth. Landscape descriptions are quick yet evoke the imagination quickly. Easily read and just as absorbing, this story is an excellent introduction to the full length novel Miracle in a Dry Season (an excerpt is included and is the debut novel of the Appalachian Blessings series), this is a story that won't disappoint. A highly recommended read.

The Quilted Heart : Three Novellas in One - Mona Hodgson

Elsa Brantenberg hosts a quilting circle in a riverside town on the outskirts of the town St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies that attend have experienced some form of heartache relating to the Civil War. Together they offer prayers and friendship as they each contemplate God's plan for them.

Dandelions on the Wind
Maren Johnson took a job on Mrs. Brantenberg's farm not expecting to call it home. Working on the farm and looking after both Elsa's granddaughter (Gabi) and the household, she is growing to love them both. As her love grows so her eyesight slowly fades. When Gabi's father returns, Rutherford 'Wooly' Wainwright, Maren sees it as an opportunity to get a paying job, save the money and return to Denmark to her family. But it seems that her plan isn't necessarily what God has in store for her. Should she accept His way or face an uncertain future?

Bending Towards the Sun
With unswerving loyalty to her father and her education, the last thing on Emilie's mind is love. But then a childhood friend returns from serving in the War. Unexpected feelings emerge and together with his charm and smile, the young woman's heart is captured. However, PaPa has other ideas and is not keen for his daughter to get involved with Quaid - even if he is hardworking and loyal to his family. How will Emilie choose between her beloved father and a future that includes a husband and a family?

Ripples Along the Shore
With all the talk of wagons going west and her husband dead Caroline has many options open to her. She could stay with her sister; but her husband with war injuries is bitter and bad tempered. If not for the sake of the children Caroline would have told him her exact thoughts. So when Garret Cowlishaw (a Confederate solider no less) turns up, the widow's reaction is hate. This Garret may not be the person solely responsible for her husbands death, but he fought on the side that killed him. Tempted to join the wagons there's little stopping her. But will God's love provide the answers she's looking for or will her fate be decided by a man, namely one Garret Cowlishaw.

This collection of three novella's is a gentle story that weaves together the lives of a small community that has been torn apart by war. Yet their faith and determination to carry on is heartwarming and inspiring. With Maren's conflicting emotions to stay or leave, Emilie's unwavering loyalty and dedication, and Caroline's concerns about perception. Each woman is facing their own trials but still very aware of others plight. Their bond is the quilting circle where the ever present, ever kind Mrs. Brantenberg with her deep faith manages to quell the fears of each woman.

This historical drama is so enjoyable it was difficult to put down. There's no high drama yet the author builds tension and apprehension to a happy satisfying conclusion. Each story has a strong lead character that appear true to life as well as being completely likable. It's a collection of heartwarming stories that remind us that despite the ravages of war, faith, loyalty and love always win out. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the Blogging for Books program part of WaterBrookMultnomah publishing group. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.