Hadley Sullivan misses her JFK flight to London by 4 minutes, but she really didn't want to go anyway. The trip is to see her father marry a woman sheHadley Sullivan misses her JFK flight to London by 4 minutes, but she really didn't want to go anyway. The trip is to see her father marry a woman she's never met, and she's not excited, to say the least. However, by getting rebooked on a flight 3 hours later, she meets Oliver, a freshman at Yale who's also returned to London for an "event" that she assumes is also a wedding. Oliver and Hadley have an immediate connection, but unfortunately lose track of each other when the land. Hadley rushes to the wedding, barely making it in time, and thanks to Oliver, is much more willing to reconcile with her father. When she overhears one of the guests saying they have to leave to attend a funeral, Hadley finally realizes why Oliver was coming home. She finds him at the funeral, but they're separated again. Third time is the charm, when he finds her at the wedding reception that evening. All done in a 24 hour period, clean, fun story....more
Will and Maddie are unable to rescue the prince of Gallica and are captured and imprisoned. Baron Lassigny is intent on keeping all three of them prisWill and Maddie are unable to rescue the prince of Gallica and are captured and imprisoned. Baron Lassigny is intent on keeping all three of them prisoners. They come up with an interesting plan to challenge Lassigny's knight, without knowing there's some additional help nearby. Halt and Horace have arrived, and give them some help in their escape.
I'm not fond of how Flanagan cuts off his books mid-way through the storyline, but he does tell a good story if you can wait a year for the ending!...more
Twin Princesses Lily and Sophie of Arcadia (who can communicate non-verbally as their twin gift) are excited to be travelling to the Duchy of Marin, aTwin Princesses Lily and Sophie of Arcadia (who can communicate non-verbally as their twin gift) are excited to be travelling to the Duchy of Marin, a city state that had only existed in memories until a ship appeared requesting a delegation return with him. They're travelling with Princess Celine from Lanover. When they arrive, they find themselves immediately thrust into a Princess Tourney called by Prince Dominic of Palinar aka "the Beast" who hasn't been seen in years. The three girls find themselves with 9 other princesses between 12-17 competing in an unknown competition to become betrothed to Dominic. Every third night until the first day of summer, there's a ball (12 dancing princesses), and then the princesses go into a room where a hole opens in the floor, they descend a ladder, go through forests of silver, gold and diamond, cross a lake and enter an empty reversed replica of the castle above, and complete a task. When it's over, they can return above, but are unable to talk about what they've been through. Some tasks are done using teamwork, some are individual. Some are dangerous and girls are injured or become sick. Sophie and Lily determine one of them must win, to avoid the younger girls being chosen. Meanwhile, they become friends with the attending princes. In particular, Lily and Prince Jon of Marin become close, but his country is economically faltering from the "darkness" that has been invading all of the lands. Eventually, Jon figures out a way to secretly go with the princesses the final night, and destroy the magic kingdom, but Sophie ends up winning the tourney. Jon and Lily become betrothed at the same time Sophie and Dominic do, and Marin is saved from the coup, but Sophie heads alone to Palinar and becomes the subject of the next book in the series. Well done fractured fairy tale.
2022 - 52 book challenge #49 - book title startes with the same letter as your first name....more
The first book in this fractured fairy tale series is a spin on the Princess and the Pea. Alyssa is the only daughter of a merchant's daughter and a woThe first book in this fractured fairy tale series is a spin on the Princess and the Pea. Alyssa is the only daughter of a merchant's daughter and a woodcutter, and she's spent her first 17 years in the woods with her four older brothers and parents. On her way to the capital city to live with her aunt, she gets lost in the woods in a rain storm and ends up at the door to the Winter Palace. She's taken in a put in the princess room, where her delicate skin is significantly affected by the pea the Queen has had put under the mattress. The next morning, when she meets the Royal family, she's too polite to complain. She's also successfully entertained the 11-year-old twin princesses (Lily and Sophie), so King Henry hires her to be the Princess Companion. Max is their 19-year-old brother, and Alyssa is instantly attracted. However, there is danger afoot in the kingdom. Prince Max is going to be hosting foreign princesses in the summer to choose a "proper" princess bride to try to get the kingdom properous again - it has to be a love match or crops fail, the economy falters, etc. When Alyssa overhears a traitorous conversation by a servant, they discover there may be more at stake. When they return to the Summer Palace and start entertaining the princesses, Alyssa is tasked with observing and trying to determine the guilty parties. She does, and eventually saves the day and gets her HEA. Clean, fun retelling of the story.
I read book one of the continuation series first, but came back to this to understand the backstory better. Not necessary to enjoy either, but it makes it more enjoyable.
2022 - 52 book challenge #27 - Includes a map of the Four Kingdoms....more
Lily Bailey's mom passed away during her freshman year of high school, and once she came out of the fog of mourning, she's dedicated herself to being Lily Bailey's mom passed away during her freshman year of high school, and once she came out of the fog of mourning, she's dedicated herself to being valedictorian and being accepted to Harvard, to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Likewise, her father shut himself off, and she feels pretty isolated until a stress episode lands her in the hospital. That's when dad insists she start taking Saturdays off from studying and doing something else... like ballroom dance lessons. Lily is appalled. She's nearly six foot and clutzy. She's even more appalled when she discovers that her dance partner is going to be none other than the popular HS quarterback, Agoston "Stone" Torres, whose Hungarian mother owns the dance studio. Stone is trying to figure out a way to help his parents save the financially struggling studio, so when Lily's dad offers him big bucks to be her partner, he accepts. What he doesn't count on is how well he and Lily get along. Over the next six weeks, he helps Lily learn to have fun and dance, and she helps him become more that just the poster child of football in their Texas town. The two fall in love as they help each other be better people. Fun, clean story. ...more
Fifteen-year-old Russell Culver thinks he has his future planned out. He wants to leave his small Indiana town and go cut wheat in the huge fields in Fifteen-year-old Russell Culver thinks he has his future planned out. He wants to leave his small Indiana town and go cut wheat in the huge fields in North Dakota with his best friend Charlie. When the school teacher dies just before school's due to start, he figures they'll have to close the town's small school and he'll be off. What he doesn't plan on, is his older sister Tansy being made the school teacher. She's about the only person who knows how to make him behave... and learn. She scrounges up the requisite 8 students, drills and grills them until they're all reading, doing math, and knowing geography despite mishaps like a puff adder in her desk and a stovepipe that blew up. She gets her provisional teaching certificate, and becomes an extremely successful teacher - convincing and conniving Russell to get a college education.
Set in the early 1900's - an interesting look at a rural farm midwest lifestyle. Biographical???
2021 - 52 book challenge #1 - set in a school - one room school house run by Tansy....more
In this installment, apprentice Maddie and Ranger Will are sent by Maddie's grandfather, King Duncan, to Gallica disguised as jongleurs to rescue the In this installment, apprentice Maddie and Ranger Will are sent by Maddie's grandfather, King Duncan, to Gallica disguised as jongleurs to rescue the son of the Gallican king. Will goes and a minstral, and Maddie as a juggler and knife thrower. They successfully make their way to the castle where the prince is being held, but right after they get him out of his prison room, they're all captured by the Lord. And... the story ends there! Flanagan does it again... ending the story right in the middle. Since he'd done it with one of the earlier stories in this spin-off series, it wasn't quite as upsetting, but still not my favorite way to end the book - hence the 4 star rating.
2021 - 52 Book Reading Challenge #23 - an ending that surprises you - because it didn't end!...more
"Zia" is a continuation of the book "Island of the Blue Dolphins". Karana, the girl on the island is the aunt of Zia. Zia's mother married a Spaniard "Zia" is a continuation of the book "Island of the Blue Dolphins". Karana, the girl on the island is the aunt of Zia. Zia's mother married a Spaniard and lived in Southern California. She told Zia about Karana, who then decided to rescue her aunt from the island somehow. After her mother's death, Zia and her brother Mando move to Mission Santa Barbara to be closer to those who went to the island. She and Mando make an attempt to sail there, which was thwarted. Finally she persuades some other hunters and a priest to go and bring Karana back, after 18 years of being alone on the island. Karana does come, she and Zia become close, but Karana eventually dies - probably from missing the island. After her death, Zia leaves to return to her home in the mountains.
Interesting and well done book. Although its purpose was to explain what happened to Karana, Zia has her own story to tell. Now it would be nice to know what happened to Zia!...more
Suzanne "Zan" Hagen is an eighth grader who loves competitive sports. When the school has its gym ripped up for repairs/reconstruction one week beforeSuzanne "Zan" Hagen is an eighth grader who loves competitive sports. When the school has its gym ripped up for repairs/reconstruction one week before basketball season begins, Zan rebels, especially when she finds out the girls will be learning to dance in the Home Ec kitchen while the boys are provided with places to play. Zan dances for a few weeks and then cons the football coach into letter her use the lacrosse field. The girls (14 of them) begin to learn how to play football thanks to Zan's friend Rinehart and Coach O'Hara. They go on to play during the halftime of the Dogwood Bowl (State championship) and win against the opposition's JV's. Zan gets the most valuable player award from the press, and the gym will be ready in time to play basketball.
Funny story, but unfortunately a true representation of how girls sports are viewed (in the 1970's). Easy to read, good glossary of football terms. Probably for 7-9 graders....more
Story of the adventures Mark has on his journey from the Ukraine to St. Petersburg to become a famous singer in the early 1700's.Story of the adventures Mark has on his journey from the Ukraine to St. Petersburg to become a famous singer in the early 1700's....more
Owen is a high school senior and extremely brilliant in math and science. He wants to go to MIT, and do something important with his life. Natalie livOwen is a high school senior and extremely brilliant in math and science. He wants to go to MIT, and do something important with his life. Natalie lives down the street from Owen. She is a year older, and an extremely accomplished musician who wants to become a famous composer. Both are considered strange and misfits in school. The story explains how they meet and become close friends, and how this friendship affects their lives.
The book is fairly well done. It explains how two teen "misfits" struggle to achieve their potential and their need for other people. Very different than Le Guin's "Earthsea" trilogy....more
Two girls, Connie -18 and Linda - 19, go to New York City to become career girls. Involves their trials of trying to make it in the city and how one mTwo girls, Connie -18 and Linda - 19, go to New York City to become career girls. Involves their trials of trying to make it in the city and how one makes it and the other doesn't.
For reluctant readers. Short, very easy to read, medium size print and spacing with quite a few illustrative pictures....more
Karen is a fairly normal teenager except that her mother died when she was three and her father is a head man in the syndicate in New York. As she groKaren is a fairly normal teenager except that her mother died when she was three and her father is a head man in the syndicate in New York. As she grows up, she gets shunted from one private school to summer camp to another. Then one day she gets a message that she is to go to England to stay with some cousins of her mother's , and her father will contact her there. In reality, she has been kidnapped to maker her father, who has been burned, give up some of his power. She discovers the plot, and with some help primarily from an old childhood friend who was attending Eton. The story ends when Karen arrives safely at her father's hospital bedside in NYC>
I thought this was a good book. It dealt with a subject that isn't often dealt with very successfully and realistically while still not dragging it down with explicit sex or violence. I enjoyed reading it....more
Joey is the middle son, Black and 17. His older brother Paul, his mother's pet, has just returned from 7 months at a rehab center trying to overcome hJoey is the middle son, Black and 17. His older brother Paul, his mother's pet, has just returned from 7 months at a rehab center trying to overcome his heroin addiction. His younger brother Davey is a brilliant high school junior with exceptional talent as a basketball player. Their mother seems to only care for Paul even though he is back on heroin within days. Joey decides to give Davey the money had saved to go to college himself and join the Navy. Paul finds the money and spends it on heroin. Joey goes to get it back from the dealer. In the fight that ensues, Davey saves Joey from getting shot by one of the guys in the other gang and gets killed himself.
This book has an unsettling and powerful ending, but the beginning drags some. "Listen for the Fig Tree" by Mathis is much better in my opinion. "Teacup" has a message - it portrays the agony of drug addiction, and the waste of the good and beautiful in the ghetto, but it is not as forceful a statement as her later book....more
Seattle teenager Jess was badly injured in the car accident that killed her mother. Several months after the accident, when she's mostly recovered froSeattle teenager Jess was badly injured in the car accident that killed her mother. Several months after the accident, when she's mostly recovered from her injuries, she's sent to Alaska to live with her father - a man she hasn't seen in over a decade. When a friend of his meets her at the airport and then drives her across the Canadian border, and then flies her to a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness, she's NOT impressed. Jess and her dad have a few weeks together that he spends teaching her some survival skills before his past arrives and kills him, burning their cabin. Jess manages to escape unnoticed, but is left alone to survive with winter coming on with only her dad's dog for company. Each day is a struggle to survive, but she gradually becomes more competent and strong. Finding a 2nd cabin her dad had hid makes the difference in her survival, but she knows the bad guys will return and plans for her revenge. Success comes with a price, but she survives.
Mostly told in before and after journal entries, it chronicles a realistic fight by a damaged young girl to survive at all costs....more
Fun story of a teenage girl who's been raised as the youngest with a cop father, a deceased mother, and three older jock brothers. Add it the boy nextFun story of a teenage girl who's been raised as the youngest with a cop father, a deceased mother, and three older jock brothers. Add it the boy next door, and Charlie is just happier playing soccer and football with the guys than dressing up and using makeup. When her dad forces her to get a job after another speeding ticket, she unexpectedly lands a job in a boutique working for an older woman who treats her like a girl, and makes friends with some other girls from work. The boy next door, Braden, is a problem though... she's starting to see him in a different light and it's kind of creepy for her at first. When she finally realizes he feels the same way about her, they get their happy ending. Secondary issue of her mom's suicide is dealt with....more
Easton Royal is son #3 and has his own set of issues. Reckless, too free with the use of drugs and booze, he breezes along until he meets Hartley WrigEaston Royal is son #3 and has his own set of issues. Reckless, too free with the use of drugs and booze, he breezes along until he meets Hartley Wright. One of the few to reject him, she makes him work to enter her life, which is difficult. She overheard her father, a DA, making deals with people for cash, and was immediately banished from her home and especially her younger sister. She's trying to reinsert herself in her home, but meanwhile is living and working in a less than desirable situation. Easton has to clean up his life to bring her into it.
As usual, lots of sex, booze, and language....more
Easton Royal has always done just enough to get by, but Hartley Wright makes him a better person. When an accident causes her to lose her memory and pEaston Royal has always done just enough to get by, but Hartley Wright makes him a better person. When an accident causes her to lose her memory and puts one of his twin brothers in a coma, Easton has to try and hold it together for them all. Hartley's father is in cahoots with Ella's father, and neither one are good guys.
Ella and Reed are back, but there's all kinds of twists and turns. Callum's evil ex-girlfriend is pregnant and trying to say that Reed is the father. Ella and Reed are back, but there's all kinds of twists and turns. Callum's evil ex-girlfriend is pregnant and trying to say that Reed is the father. When she's killed, Reed is arrested AND Ella's long thought to be dead father reappears on the same day. Ella wants no part of her erratic father, but when forced to go live with him and his horrible wife, she finally discovers who really killed the girlfriend, and nearly loses her own life along the way. She and Reed do get a happy ending. Sex, language, booze, etc....more
Continuation of Paper Princess story line between Ella and Reed. The two have fallen in love, but it's not always a healthy relationship and when ReedContinuation of Paper Princess story line between Ella and Reed. The two have fallen in love, but it's not always a healthy relationship and when Reed pushes her away, chaos reigns in the family. Again, lots of underage sex, language and booze....more