DESTINY by CINDY RAY HALE

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Destiny Clark, a young Mormon girl living in Tennessee, is wildly infatuated with Isaac Robinson, the headmaster's son at her Baptist high school. When they're cast together in the school's production of Les Misérables, Destiny is horrified to find that she has to be publicly humiliated by acting out her true feelings of rejection onstage.
As their rehearsals begin, Destiny realizes the unimaginable: Isaac has developed deep feelings for her despite their religious differences and the fact that he has a girlfriend. 
But will they be able to find their place amongst the backbiters of their ultra-conservative world?
Weaving around Destiny and Isaac's alternating viewpoints, Destiny is the first book in a series inspired by the characters of Les Misérables and explores heartbreak, self-discovery, intolerance, and love.
DESTINY by Cindy Ray Hale is a young adult romance. Its a story of forbidden love and religious intolerance. It is told from the points of view of Destiny a young Mormon girl attending a Baptist High School in Tennessee, who has a crush Isaac, the headmaster's son & Isaac, the headmaster's son, who hates Mormons, and wants to protect his cousin Hannah from Destiny's evil influence.
Destiny was a quick read. The story is fast moving. I liked seeing the growth and changes in both Isaac and Destiny. I loved Hannah, Isaac's cousin, she was such a free spirit was willing to push Destiny to achieve the things she really wanted. She also didn't think Destiny was doomed because she was a Mormon.
 I'm not familiar with Les Mis so I was happy that the characters were briefly explained. It helped understand the relationships between the stories characters even better.
I would recommend this, especially to teenage girls but Adults will enjoy it too.
You can buy Destiny at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/374030 smashwords, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GEM312C  for Kindle, http://www.amazon.com/dp/0991037405  paperback, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/destiny-cindy-ray-hale/1117333798?ean=2940045368315 Nook. As always you can also check your local library for inter library loan.
I received a free copy for my honest review.

MILE 21 BY SARAH DUNSTER

ABOUT THE BOOK:

“You have to be here. I can’t be on the premises without an owner or tenant present. Wouldn’t want to be accused of walking off with anything.” He looks around the kitchen. “Not that there’s anything here to tempt me.”

“You’re a jerk.”

Bob glances down at the photo again. “Will your husband be back soon?”

“He died a year ago. So, no.”

I gain immense satisfaction in seeing his cheeks darken a bit.

 

Abish Miller is a mess. But you might be too if you were a twenty-one-year-old widow with a dysfunctional family, an overpowering boss, and a torturous return to the singles’ scene. Training for the marathon she and her husband never got to run is about the only time she can forget about her problems.

But life won’t leave her alone. It throws Bob Hartley, a recently divorced young father, into her living room and then her ward. And when her irritation turns into attraction, she’s sure that it must be some sort of cosmic joke, especially when it seems he loathes her! Feeling like she just keeps hitting the wall, Abish must learn to push past her fears or she’ll never achieve her personal best.

Defined by sharp wit and an authentic voice, Mile 21 shows the despair of giving up on hope—and the joy of choosing it again.

In the beginning of Mile 21 Abish comes off as hard, sarcastic and irresponsible. As the story unfolded and I started learning what made Abish who she was. She is a 21 year old widow, everyone thinks she should be able to get past that and go on with life. Her mother seams like a harsh woman, her younger sister has practically perfect life, and she knows her father was against her getting married. Her boss seems like he would be difficult to work with.
When she is evicted from her apartment, her parents send her to live with her eccentric aunt. She runs away and ends up depending on her Boss to help her find school approved housing, and getting back in the single scene.
Abish is a runner and is training for a marathon, she can't seem to run more than 21 miles.
I enjoyed going on Abish's journey with her, and watching her grow and change and learn that there can be life after her husband died, and that her family loves her and her boss/ Bishop is not such a bad guy.
I recommend this to anyone, it decidedly LDS, but the story is one that everyone can relate to on some level.
You can buy Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster at www.amazon.com, www.deseretbook.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. Or check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Sarah Dunster CLICK HERE

MIDDLE SCHOOL MAGIC PENUMBRAS by BRADEN BELL

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Conner, Lexa, and Melanie are back! Just when they think life is normal again, a dangerous shadow creature begins to hunt them. The trio must develop their powers in order to conquer this new peril and protect their school. Filled with action and even more magic, this book continues the exciting adventure in the Middle School Magic series.

I loved The Kindling ,so when I learned that Penumbras was soon to be released I was excited to read it, in hopes that it would be just as good as the 1st one was. I was not disappointed.
Penumbras is full of danger, suspense, drama, discovery, teenage angst and even a little romance, from page 1 to the cliffhanger at the end.
The kids are normal 13 year olds, with the exception of their Magi powers and the forces of dark are after them. They all discover talents they don't know they have, and can't control. They discover another mystery when they learn their friend Pilaf can hear head talk, even private conversations, and can see the shadow creatures.
Besides a battle between good and evil, there is a battle on the side between a jealous Lexa and Connor and Melanie, who have discovered like each other as more than friends. Lexa's flair for the dramatic makes things hard for everyone.
As in The Kindling the teachers are portrayed as intelligent and caring, and the parents are kept informed of what is happening in their children's lives and training.
Even though Penumbras is written for mid readers (9-13), I loved it, and I think most adults will love it too.

You can find Penumbras by Braden Bell at www.amazon.com in paperback and kindle and www.barnesandnoble,com both paperback and nook, or check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Braden Bell  CLICK HERE..

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

ASHES ASHES by JULIE COULTER BELLON

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sophia Naziri is wanted for questioning in the murder of a U.S. senator. She’s worried the police will show up on her doorstep any moment, but when Detective Colby Black appears, it’s to help her put out a kitchen fire, not take her in. Yet. His easy smile and persistence in getting to know her pushes all her troubles to the back of her mind, until a hit man tracks her down. Getting arrested becomes the least of her worries and the handsome detective could be her only way out---if she tells him the truth.
Colby Black’s sniper skills have been a blessing and a curse to him. As a member of a Hostage Negotiation Team, he can use them to save people, but sometimes he can’t protect the innocent despite his best efforts. When a hostage situation goes bad, he tries to put it behind him by helping out his mysterious next-door neighbor, Sophia Naziri. But she pulls Colby into a web of lies and conspiracy that will force him to use every skill he has in order to survive. Faced with the moment of truth, can he trust anyone around him---including the woman at the center of it all?

ASHES ASHES by Julie Coulter Bellon,  is a fast moving story full of action, intrigue and just enough romance. The action starts on page 1 with Colby in a hostage negation that goes terribly wrong and a fire in his new neighbors kitchen. I was never happier that my Kindle has a text to speech option, so I could listen during my commute when I couldn't read.
Colby was the ideal man, an ex-marine that cares about people, and who likes to clean and bake to relax. Sophia is a woman with a big problem, and no one she feels like she can trust. When Colby comes over to help put out the kitchen fire she accidentally starts, she doesn't want to trust him, but really, what woman can resist a man that comes over early in the morning with fresh baked goodies and cleaning products.
Sophia has a big problem, the body of a murdered senator was found in her trunk. She feels she has to solve the mystery and find her father on her own. Will she trust Colby? Is there anyone she can trust?
I recommend Ashes Ashes  by Julie Coulter Bellon to anyone that likes Mystery, intrigue and clean romance. It is the 2nd book in the Hostage Negotiation Series, but can be read as a stand alone book, but I would recommend reading All Fall Down at some point, just because its another good read.
You can find Ashes Ashes on www.amazon.com, www.smashwords,com and www.barnesandnoble.com, or ask at your local library about inter library loan.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.