Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen

Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen is a young adult fiction book about a Jr. High girl who has lost her foot in an accident and finally gets accepted at school when everyone hears about her saving two whales.  The story delves into her feelings about her parents separation, school, fears of what others think about her and how she finally accepts herself.  In reading this book, I learned a bit more about whales and liked the theme that was not to judge people by how they look on the outside, but to look deeper at who people really are.  Her special relationship she had with the whales was interesting.  I enjoyed this light, fast read very much.  I think the author did a fantastic job at getting inside the head of a young girl.

 (Karen's review 11/20/09)

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"Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigatupi

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigatupi is about Nailer, a teenage boy who is a ship scavenger.  One day he finds a Clipper ship with a pretty young girl on it.  That is when this book got good to me.  It is a good story about trust, friendship and honor.  I enjoyed the relationship between the girl and Nailer.  A good, quick read.

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"Exposure" by Brandilyn Collins

Exposure by Brandilyn Collins is a fast-paced psychological thriller about Martin, a family man, who compromises his integrity to get money to pay for his daughter’s medical treatment and the long-lasting consequences for his wife, Lorraine, and daughter, Tammy.  I loved the courage of the mother in taking on the mob by herself to save her husband’s reputation and get revenge for his death.  The book jumps right into action from the start and held my attention throughout. 

 

At the same time, the reader is treated to another mystery involving a journalist who writes about fears, Kaycee, who is being stalked and an abduction.  Kaycee turns to God for help and faces her fears head-on.  I knew early on that there was some connection between the two story lines, but did not figure out what it was until the author revealed it.  This is a very good book!

 

One thing I found a bit annoying was that the chapters were very short and practically every other one jumped to the other story line.  At one point, I actually peeked ahead to the next chapter to find out what the wife found.  I liked how the author tied up the loose ends at the end in the Epiloge and didn’t leave the reader hanging. 

 

Exposure is part of Brandilyn Collins’ “Seatbelt Suspense” series.  If you like suspense and thrillers, I recommend this book.

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"Amber Morn" by Brandilyn Collins

I loved Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins.  It is the first one I ever read by Brandilyn Collins but I will be reading more.  "Amber Morn" is filled with action and suspense brought about through a hostage situation in a small town at a café where older people do a blog together.  I finished reading this book in just two days.  It held my interest and I was anxious to keep on reading.  It is the last book in the Kanner Lake Series but I still enjoyed it even though I hadn't read the other three first.  It has Christian overtones through it but does not preach at all.  I liked the way it ended too.

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"Coral" Moon by Brandilyn Collins

Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins is a murder mystery that involves evil spiritual forces and that was a hard one to figure out. It is certainly unusual and spooky. It deals with ghosts, curses, demons and seances. I didn't like the creepiness of this one but it kept my interest to the end.  This is the second book in the Kenner Lake series and the one I liked the least.
(Karen's review April 2009)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?