Kiss by Ted Dekker

Synopsis: After a car accident puts Shauna McAllister in a coma and wipes out six months of her memory, she returns to her childhood home to recover, but her arrival is fraught with confusion. Her estranged father, a senator bidding on the White House, and her abusive stepmother blame Shauna for the tragedy, which has left her beloved brother severely brain damaged. Leaning on Wayne Spade, a forgotten but hopeful lover who stays by her side, Shauna tries to sort out what happened that night by jarring her memory to life. Instead, she acquires a mysterious mental ability that will either lead her to truth or get her killed by the people trying to hide it. In this blind game of cat and mouse that stares even the darkest memories in the face, Shauna is sure of only one thing: if she remembers, she dies.

Specs: Adult fiction, mystery/paranormal, published January 2009, 322 pages.

Yes, I realize I'm posting three book reviews in one day! :) And that's because I forget (aka: procrastinate) to write reviews after I finish books, so they pile up on me.

Kiss did not get me involved at all, not like most of Dekker's books (like Three). When I read the synopsis, this book sounded so cool. A woman who can steal people's memories by touching them? Sounds like a good storyline to me!...But not so much after I started reading it.

Without giving too much away, I didn't like the money business. I basically know nothing about money, so that side of this book really confused me, which is unfortunate since that's part of the mystery.

But I did get through it without throwing it down and saying "I'm not reading this anymore!" which is saying something, because I don't continue to read books I don't like.

Three by Ted Dekker

Synopsis: Enter a world where nothing is what it seems. Where your closest friend could be your greatest enemy.

Kevin Parson is driving his car late one summer day when, suddenly, his cell phone rings. A man who identifies himself as Slater speaks in a breathy voice: You have exactly three minutes to confess your sin to the world. Refuse, and the car you're driving will blow sky high.

Kevin panics. Who would make such a call? What sin? Kevin ditches the car. Precisely three minutes later, a massive explosion set his world on a collision course with madness.

Specs: Adult fiction, psychological/mystery/thriller, published December 2006, 432 pages.

As I've said before about one of Dekker's books: I love books that have psychology somehow tied into the story, and Three had that. I haven't seen the movie, so it was entirely new to me. And WOW: the ending! Totally didn't see that coming...but that's what Dekker does best. I really enjoyed Three and recommend it. Can't say more than that, otherwise I'd spoil it for you!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto (ARC)

Synopsis: Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Specs: YA fiction, paranormal, published August 2010, 496 pages, Halo #1.

I wasn't that impressed with this book, but considering it's written by a 17 year old, it's quite an accomplishment.

On some level, it reminded me of Twilight, what with Beth and Xavier being so involved with each other, to the exclusion of others. Their relationship made me a bit nauseous, to tell the truth. I realize these two are teenagers and that's usually what happens when they're in a relationship, but Beth is an angel who's been around since the beginning of time. Shouldn't she be more mature??

But Halo was addictive and a fast-read, even though it's a big book. (Another thing that's like Twilight.) There were so many mistakes in the ARC. I mean, I haven't yet read an ARC that had so many mistakes in it. It was distracting sometimes.

I also think the book could've had more development and action. I'm hoping the other two books in this series progress more in those areas.

Review: Murder on Lenox Hill by Victoria Thompson

Synopsis: When the affluent Lintons of Lenox Hill summon Sarah Brandt to examine their teenage daughter, their worst fear is confirmed: She is with child. The pregnancy is a mystery, however, as the young woman - mentally still a child herself - is never left on her own and denies that any man has ever hurt her." "To help her discover who is responsible, Sarah, after much prodding, enlists the aid of her friend, Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy, who is reluctant to get involved, since no crime has been reported. It's a delicate investigation, casting suspicion on those close to the Lintons, including members of their local congregation - with even their beloved minister, the Reverend Oliver Upchurch." But fate deals their inquiry a harsh blow when the reverend falls dead during a service - poisoned by cyanide-laced wine in his chalice. Now, Sarah and Frank must not only uncover the truth behind the Linton girl's pregnancy, they must track down Upchurch's killer before this entire sordid affair wreaks havoc on more innocent lives.

Specs: Adult fiction, published in 2005, 304 pages, Gaslight Mystery#7.

Murder on Lenox Hill isn't one of my favorite Gaslight Mysteries so far. For one thing, the murder doesn't happen until 200 or so pages in. I like my murders right away and completely confusing that I'll never be able to guess it. There was a mystery right away with the Linton girl, but the murder took a while.

It's a good book and mystery on it's own, but compared to Thompson's other books in the series, this one didn't bring it.

When I was reading, I was all "He did it! I knew it!"..."Wait, no, she did it. Aha!"..."OK, what now? I'm completely clueless."

But if you like mysteries (and even if you don't), you have to read the Gaslight Mysteries. Meg Cabot was the one who introduced me to them, and I'm glad she did!

Review: Even Now and Ever After by Karen Kingsbury

Even Now synopsis: Sometimes hope for the future is found in the ashes of yesterday.

Shane Galantera man ready to put down roots after years of searching. But is he making the right choice? Or is there a woman somewhere who even now remembers as does he those long-ago days . . . and a love that hasn't faded with time?

Lauren Gibbs a successful international war correspondent who gave up on happily-ever-after years ago when it was ripped away from her. Since then, shes never looked back. So how come she cant put to rest the one question that haunts her: Why is life so empty?

Emily Anderson a college freshman raised by her grandparents, and about to take her first internship as a journalist. But before she can move ahead, she discovers a love story whose tragic ending came with her birth. As a result, she is drawn to look back and search out the mother shes never met.

A young woman seeking answers to her hearts deep questions. A man and woman separated by lies and long years. . . yet who have never forgotten each other. With hallmark tenderness and power, Karen Kingsbury weaves a tapestry of lives, losses, love, and faith and the miracle of resurrection.

Ever After synopsis: Two couples torn apart—one by war between countries, one by a war within.

In this moving sequel to Even Now, Emily Anderson, now twenty, is attending college on a soccer scholarship. Then she meets the man who changes everything for her: Army reservist Justin Baker. Their tender relationship, founded on a mutual faith in God and nurtured by their trust and love for each other, proves to be a shining inspiration to everyone they know, especially Emily’s reunited birth parents, Lauren Gibbs and Shane Galanter.

Lauren and Shane still struggle to move past their opposing beliefs about war, politics, and faith. Shane believes it’s possible; Lauren doesn’t. So she says a painful goodbye to her long-ago love and returns to her job as a war correspondent in Afghanistan. Both Lauren and Shane are shattered, believing that this time their relationship ended forever.

Then tragedy sends shockwaves through all their lives. Can Lauren and Shane set aside their opposing views so that love—God’s love—might win, no matter how great the odds?

Specs: Adult Christian fiction, published in 2007 and 2008, Lost Love #1 and #2.

This series is really sad. I'll give you that right off in case you don't like tear-producing, heartrending books. Most of Karen Kingsbury's books are like that, but the Lost Love series involves characters who are in the military, which makes it even more real and sad.

I enjoyed how Kingsbury had characters that had opposite opinions about the war in Iraq. It actually helped me a little to understand people that didn't support it, which I thought would be impossible for me. There were many sections where Shane and Lauren discussed the war and their reasons for standing or not standing behind it.

Without giving anything away, the ending of Ever After is difficult to get through. I didn't like the author for writing the ending like she did, but then I realized that this kind of stuff happens everyday in the military. Of course, it's horrible and even more so when the family has to go through the suffering of losing their relative. But it's necessary because every day that person was in active duty, he was fighting to keep his country safe and he gave his life for us. And if he wasn't there the day he died, a civilian (and probably more than just one) would've died.

Every time I pick up a Kingsbury book, I'm thinking "What else can she come up with?" I mean, it's amazing how many storylines (with a few lessons woven in along the way) she can come up with in such a short amount of time!

Review: Take Four by Karen Kingsbury

Synopsis: Filmmakers Keith Ellison and Dayne Matthews have finally inked a deal to have the nation's top young actor star in their current film. But the actor takes a public fall that threatens his reputation. Now the producers must act as missionaries to save the film, their families, and the young movie star.

Specs: Adult Christian fiction, published July 2010, 352 pages, Above the Line #4.

I have to say this isn't one of my favorite series by Karen Kingsbury. They're obviously good, though. (I don't think anything written by her can't be good.) Kingsbury has so many stories in that head of hers: she's written one book after another after another, and I'm always overjoyed to hear another one is about to be published.

As I said about Above the Line before, I'm not that interested in the movie making technical whatsits, and a big part of this series is that. But being that I'm 19, I'm more interested in the college storyline about Bailey, Andy, Cody, and Tim.

*SPOILER* About Andy and her child...I'm glad that she didn't keep her son, and instead gave him to a great family to raise. Even though it was hard to do, she gave him up because it wasn't the right time for her to start a family. And because she decided to not have an abortion, a well-deserving couple had the opportunity to have another child and a brother for their two children. Yes, I know this is only fiction, but many real people could relate to this story. *END OF SPOILER*

I'm sort of glad that these books are over, and I can't wait to read Leaving, the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series! Finally, a series all to herself...including the Baxter family...I'm getting a little worried about Kingsbury's ability to say goodbye to her favorite fictional family. ;)