Shine By Lauren Myracle

I had found this book in a used book store and remembered reading books by Lauren Myracle before. I also remembered that I liked them. So I bought it! (doesn't take much reasoning, honestly) I was glad that I did. Although, staying up till 1am to finish it last night was not one of my finer moments; ah well, I guess that's what the afternoon nap is for.

Shine starts out with news paper clippings of a hate crime on a young gay teen, Patrick. He beaten nearly to death as he was closing up the gas station where he worked. He was now in a coma, unable to tell who did it. With a Sheriff that had a knack for lazy justice (if any a tall), 16-year old Cat, friends with Patrick for nearly a decade, decided to take matters into her own hands to find out what happened.

Small town communities have a habit of gossiping about "who done what" and what he did to deserve it; this one was no exception. Cat's older brother Christian, part of the Redneck Posse wished that she would just quit it and let things work themselves out. Tommy, Beef, and Dupree the remaining members of the Posse, were all suspicious to Cat, especially since she found out that some of them were running Meth for local dealer Wally.

This is a classic "who done it" novel geared toward a young adult audience. I enjoyed it, even though I may have come to the conclusion of "who done it" before Lauren wrote it. I'm just smart like that.

4 of 5 flamingos.

girlchild by Tupelo Hassman

girlchild was unlike anything that I've ever read. Tupelo wrote in a very interesting style. Most chapters weren't more than a page or two long with each chapter having it's own title. I found that strangely enjoyable. 

The book was about Johanna Hendrix, her mother, and her daughter. The daughter, Rory Dawn, is the girlchild that the book's title describes. A lot of the book talks about generational struggles that can keep perpetuating themselves especially among the poor. Rory D. has received a book... The Girlscout Handbook to be exact and Tupelo often has Rory referring to that in the crazy situations that she has to encounter. 

This book is not for the faint of heart as real issues come up like sexual abuse, gambling, alcohol, etc. At points I found myself shaking my head at the ignorance that her mother seems to have when it comes to Rory. Jo wants Rory to grow up and make something for herself... question is, can she make it out of the Calle?

4 of 5 flamingos.

The Revelation by Beverly Lewis

The Revelation, the final book of the Abram's daughter series ties up all the loose ends nicely. I don't want to ruin anything for you should you decide to pick up this series. I found that after I was done, after 5 books I felt like the Ebersol's were a part of my family, or rather I was a part of theirs. I wanted to continue finding out about the women and their lives with their own children. Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another series by Beverly Lewis. Well written and enjoyable!

4.5 of 5 flamingos.

The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis

 

The Prodigal is book 4 in the series. Jonas Mast learns that Leah never married and ends up coming home. Will she be able to accept him back after the Bann? With Leah's responsibilities as the mother of the two youngest Ebersol's born by her mother Ida, is Leah able to accept an offer of marriage if one comes? The identity of Sadie's son is found in Jake Mast, Peter's son. There is a very tangled web that is spun in this book and it's mind-teasing. Again, you should read it. 

4.5 of 5 flamingos

The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis

The Sacrifice, book 3 in the series brings with it more drama for the Ebersol ladies. But of course I read it like 3 weeks ago and I can't separated this book from the remaining two. So I'm going to tell you that it was great, and you need to read it. 

4.5 of 5 flamingos