Blood Possession by Brandy Roark

LOOD
Blood Possession by Brandy Roark
Publisher: Red Sage Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (174 pages)
Heat level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Being attacked in an alley is one thing, but when your attacker bites your neck and drinks your blood, that is a whole different story. When Forensic medical examiner McKenzie Adams is turned into a vampire against her will, the normal life she led is suddenly shattered. Her sexy and charismatic assistant Ron comes to her rescue when he finds her in the alley in the arms of her new maker. He manages to get her back to the safety of her apartment, but not before it’s too late to save her mortality. The next morning McKenzie wakes as a fledgling vampire. She is confused by the attack and chalks it up as a dream, until Ron convinces her of the truth. He also has another revelation—he is a vampire as well. Even though McKenzie is in shock, with the help of Ron, she begins to adjust to her new life. But the happiness is short-lived when her maker, Aaron, comes for her. His blood courses through her veins and he is hell-bent on getting her back. Aaron gives her an ultimatum—she must come with him, or Ron dies. McKenzie has to say goodbye to everything she knows and loves to be thrust into a lonely existence, where she must fight her unwelcome desire for her maker. He is a cold-hearted creature, but she craves his touch like a drug. Can Aaron change his cruel ways and become a man she can love, or will he be the true death of her?

McKenzie Adams is a forensic medical examiner that comes across a body with no blood. Later she is attacked. The attack opens up a world that McKenzie did not even know existed.
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Thankfully her handsome assistant Ron is there to help her and walk her through her new life in being a vampire. I found it a little too coincidental that Ron was in McKenzie’s life at the right time to be her knight in shining armor.

I enjoyed the novel. I wasn’t crazy about it, but it was readable and it kept my interest. I can’t really put my finger on why it wasn’t my favorite, but maybe there were a few holes that weren’t touched on or filled in. McKenzie is a young single female and from her description of being sun-kissed, chestnut colored hair down her back and curvy in all the right places I am sure she attracted many men. Her mother and sister Missy were mention but no friends or any type of social life, which seemed odd. And when she’s assaulted and later taken away from her home, Ron is the only person who noticed.

There were several moments when the book was kind of slow, like the author was trying to stretch the book out. The eating, watching movies, and sleeping…I was ready to read some vampire action. There also were a few things that stood out as odd. For example:  If Aaron has full access to humans to feed at his residence why did he travel so far away from home to bite McKenzie and other victims?

The vampire maker and their bond with their fledgling proved to be an interesting plot. I like the author’s writing style. It was easy to follow and I wasn’t lost in the teaching of the vampire life. There were a few twists in the book that I didn’t see coming. The author did a creative job with the alpha male story line. McKenzie had two men in her life and I had a hard time deciding who I wanted her to be with. In Blood Possession you have romance, along with the gore and blood that comes with any vampire tale. There is cruelty to the human prey/blood-givers and the author adds spice that could risk McKenzie’s life for trying to help them.

Blood Possession was a likable read that was entertaining.

Sterling’s Way by Sarita Leone

STERLING
Sterling’s Way by Sarita Leone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (172 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Jack Sterling isn’t having a good day. A swindler has stolen family property from his elderly grandmother and Jack has taken the law into his own hands to steal it back. Only the stagecoach he intends to rob is under fire, forcing him to rescue the very occupants he’d planned to rob. One glance at the beautiful woman inside nearly has him forgetting why he’s there in the first place.

Kristen March has fled Boston to avoid an arranged marriage between moneyed families. She’d rather take her chances on the untamed frontier than marry a man she doesn’t love. But the Wild West proves to be more adventure than she anticipates when her stagecoach comes under attack.

Some of the most popular courses offered by the distance learning female viagra cheap programs. They both influence the arteries and the muscles that help taking buying viagra in canada blood in different parts of the body. The difference between them is in their names. viagra pfizer pharmacie This drug proves the best result in male against the erectile dysfunction or impotence; it is the one of the embarrassing issue in men who actually gets fail to open the disorder. levitra cialis viagra Not only does handsome Jack come to her rescue, he makes it clear he plans to court her. But both are keeping secrets that could tear them apart for good.

Jack Sterling is tough, confident and abruptly, unintionally falling for the steely, blue-eyed Miss Kristen Marsh. He makes a good impression, holding off the ‘bad-guys’ when the stage-coach is attacked and behaving as a gentleman. Mind you, he’s had in mind to ‘twirl’ a lady on occasion , and I think, any lady meeting him would not find that adverse at all.

Kristen is hellbent on becoming a whole new person when she arrives in the rough west of 1874 practically straight from a certain prestigious ladies’ academy. She’s determined, she’s motivated (for a reason she tries to keep secret) but she’s ‘more vinegar than honey’ at some points. She’s possibly not the most admirable leading lady, although Leone establishes early on that Kristen is very good looking. She doesn’t lack courage though, and more and more, readers will find they like her.

The recurring highlight in Sterling’s Way are the light moments: subtle touches of humor, sometimes because of events, sometimes revealed in conversation. This reader simply adored Jack Sterling, start to finish. A clip from a conversation:

“…as you so delicately pointed out, I may have nearly knocked you onto your—” He raised an amused brow before he continued. “Well, let’s just say I almost knocked you down.”

Jack’s good humor and courage are well established at the start; Ms. Leone keeps the story moving, keeps the humor coming, and indeed, doesn’t let her readers down.

Cover expectations led me to expect some echo of a cheesy western, with images like the sunset-colored hair, or perhaps the ocean-blue eyes, and sure enough: At times, descriptions delve into almost a parody of the old time western, offering an element of the cheesy that seems unintended … the moments don’t spoil an otherwise good story, but the over-the-top does tend to distant the reader from the action.

A fan of the western romance will find a lot to like here, especially the truly admirable hero.

The Summerlark Elf: The Four Kingdoms Saga: Book One by Brandon Draga

 

ELF
The Summerlark Elf: The Four Kingdoms Saga: Book One by Brandon Draga
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (217 Pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Enna Summerlark has spent her entire life as a farmer’s daughter in the kingdom of Hallowspire, paying little mind to anything past what to sell at the next market day. When the next market day comes, however, strange events take place that will reunite her with an old friend, bring her into the world of a pair of sell-swords, and reveal a secret that will change Hallowspire forever, and cause ripples across the whole of the Four Kingdoms. The first book in “The Four Kingdoms Saga”, The Summerlark Elf introduces readers to compelling characters in an engaging world of swords and sorcery, personal turmoil and political intrigue!

The day starts out as an ordinary market day for Enna Summerlark and her father, but it quickly turns into something quite different and Enna’s life is forever changed. The Summerlark Elf is an exciting story set in a world filled with action and intrigue. The world is well constructed and very believable.
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I really liked Enna and she is a worthy main character, with strengths that surprise her at times. She learns a lot in a very short period of time which means that she has to re-define her reality, her life, her entire world. She does this with a wonderful strength, adapting to the new situation.

The supporting characters are well-drawn as well, and several of them lend assistance to Enna. The plot has a number of twists and turns as the tension grows. There are a number of characters who are very scary, and they definitely add to the suspense.

I would have given this book a significantly higher rating if it were not for some rather glaring grammatical errors. The author needs to have another round of editing, one that concentrates on such things a pronoun cases. She and I, for instance, are frequently used when they should have read her and me. For example, “a symbol that reminded her of the shackles he had put on she and Erasmus,” just stops the action in its tracks. There are also a few sentences where the author starts with one verb, but then changes his direction, resulting in a sentence with two verbs where only one is required. Since this is the first book in a series, and since the series has great potential, I would really encourage another round of close editing.

The Summerlark Elf has a lot going for it and I really enjoyed reading it. The world is engaging and the stage has now been set for further action. This novel ends in a satisfying way, where many of the conflicts have been resolved. But there are also many unresolved matters, and the reader is properly prepared for further adventures.

I recommend this novel to fantasy readers, and I look forward to following Enna on her further adventures.

Awakening Veronica by Heather Rainier

VERONICA
Awakening Veronica by Heather Rainier
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (304 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Forced Seduction, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Bullied all her life, Veronica Benedict has learned to withdraw rather than risk being hurt by those closest to her—but that’s not the only type of bully she has to deal with.
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On a research trip, a fellow author introduces her to two Doms at a wedding. Travis McDaniel is disillusioned by life in Washington, D.C., and is back home in Divine, examining his future.

Driven by the need to keep the citizens of Divine safe, Hank Stinson has put his loneliness and his secret desires aside—until he meets Veronica. Hank and Travis are captivated by the introverted author. Hank must decide if he needs this special kind of love more than he needs to be elected sheriff again, and Travis must choose between life in Divine and an opportunity to make a difference in the world. When they discover the bullying Veronica is enduring, their protective instincts come roaring to the surface.

Love can be hard to find and but it’s even harder when those who should be there to support you are the ones who continue to put you down. Veronica learned this lesson early in life. As a result, she’s deeply introverted but comes alive when she’s writing. That is until she’s reunited with a special man from her past. Travis, who with the help of his best friend, one Sheriff Hank Stinson, teaches Veronica that there’s freedom and strength in surrender. Can Veronica let herself believe in the attraction that the two men have for her? Letting go of her past, Veronica must learn to trust those around her, and especially Hank and Travis. The three are wonderful together but will Veronica trust her heart or will she continue to hide away from the world?

I can never get enough of the true love that is found in this series. Heather Rainier does a wonderful job of keeping these books fresh and pulling the reader into the wonderful world that she has created. Hank and Travis are great men. The two fight for and with Veronica. Never letting her forget how they feel and that so many others care for her as well. I loved seeing Veronica come out of her shell and become the woman she was always meant to be. The love that the three share shines brightly right from the start and watching them work through everything made for a great read.

I loved seeing everyone at the ranch and in Divine rally around Veronica when she needed the help and I have to say that Kemp and Duke stole the scenes that they were in for me. I loved Kemp and his duct tape. I also enjoyed visiting with many of the characters from previous books. It is nice to see everyone interacting and still being part of the stories making this reader feel as if I were visiting with good friends and family with each story. This book works fine as a stand-alone but there are quite a few reoccurring characters. Readers who look for books with strong alpha men and women who find strength in love and friendships should read this book.

Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of the Hidden Jewels by Carrie Cross

JEWELS
Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of the Hidden Jewels by Carrie Cross
Publisher: Teen Mystery Press
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade, Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (244 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

A deserted mansion perches on a steep hillside, overlooking a rocky canyon. Tattered curtains hang behind broken windows, and a turret stretches toward the sky. Three years ago the wealthy owner disappeared suddenly, leaving behind a house full of secrets: A mysterious note, tantalizing clues, a hidden floor, one piece of a treasure map, and a missing fortune in diamonds.

The second thing you need to understand discounts on viagra the mechanism of this medicine when using it. It has the ability to treat ED and also to delay and best cialis price heighten orgasm. Recreational medicines are also proscribed because they cheap tadalafil 20mg contain amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. Fallopian tube blockage may be the result of diverse in?ammatory procedures due to proximity of fallopian tubes. buy viagra usa Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins moves into the mansion with her parents and embarks on a new and dangerous mission. Armed with her detective kit, and with the support of her BFF Alexa and a team of secret agents, Skylar sets out to decipher the clues and find the diamonds. Can she outwit a gang of aggressive bikers and find the hidden jewels before they do? Or will the perils of middle school–like battling ruthless bully Emelyn Peters for the attention of class hottie Dustin Coles–get in her way?

Old houses can carry a lot of secrets, but they’re not always keen on revealing them.

It was a lot of fun to observe Skylar’s relationship with her parents. This was the first time that she’s attempted to solve a mystery while living with them, so there were many opportunities for her sleuthing to be squeezed into otherwise ordinary days. The relationship between mother and daughter was particularly interesting because Skylar and her mom have completely opposite personalities and interests.The occasional disagreements that resulted from these differences were well written and believable.

The character development was also strong. Skylar has learned from her previous adventures and occasionally mentions those lessons as she attempts to solve this mystery. I liked seeing a slightly older and more mature version of this character and am looking forward comparing this version of her with who she will become in the future.

My only criticism of this tale is a minor one. Early on in the plot Skylar’s parents buy a house that’s three times the size of what they actually need. The characters discuss how unusual this decision is, but they never really give any concrete reasons for why a small, nuclear family would have any interest in such a huge home. I would have preferred to see at least one more conversation later in on the plot explaining this decision.

Attempting to solve the mystery before anyone in the plot figures it out is one of the things I look forward to the most with this series. The clues are revealed slowly and methodically. Some of them are easy to figure out, but others require more thought. I’ve really enjoyed puzzling out both of Skylar’s mysteries so far.

This is the sequel to Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hill, but it can be read as a standalone novel. The most important background and character information from that story is briefly recapped in this one.

Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of the Hidden Jewels has made me eager to read more about Skylar’s adventures. I’d heartily recommend this tale to anyone who is a fan of mysteries or the young adult genre.

Sisters Fate by Jessica Spotswood

FATE
Sisters Fate by Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Alternate Reality
Length: Full Length (368 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rated: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

A fever ravages New London, but with the Brotherhood sending suspected witches straight to the gallows, the Sisters are powerless against the disease. They can’t help without revealing their powers—as Cate learns when a potent display of magic turns her into the most wanted witch in all of New England.

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In an alternate 1900s New England, suspected witches are sent to the gallows–although they are hardly the witches of olden days. No, these are gorgeous contemporary girls with lives, loves, and special powers. They’d use the power for good, if they could–like curing disease–but they are in a world where helping someone means putting themselves at risk.

Spotswood’s characters simply shine. The good in their hearts speaks louder than any special magic skills, readers can’t help admiring them and sympathizing with their plight. These are not the dark characters found in some tales: no, in fact, Cate’s specialty is healing magic. Tess, who can foretell, seems always the sweetest and most vulnerable of the sisters, Maura… oh, dear, Maura. Sisters can be sisters! In a family of remarkable closeness Cate and Maura have their differences – different approaches to try to achieve the same thing, only here, those differences might lead to disaster.

Cate struggles not to lose boyfriend Finn, who has no memory of her, while being true to her sisters. Finn is a simply wonderful, real, heartfelt character; readers will adore him.

Spotswood’s New England is both familiar and entirely strange: geographically the same and yet, a magical world that is scene to the struggles between powers.

Although part of a series, this can be read and understood as a stand-alone. Reading this makes me regret not starting at the beginning! Although a ‘paranormal,’ Sister’s Fate, so character-driven, will have a wide general appeal and might well draft a few new readers to the genre! Beautifully written.

On the Mountain by Peggy Ann Craig

MOUNTAIN
On the Mountain by Peggy Ann Craig
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (248 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

On a cold and still night, a frightened woman makes a frenzied escape down a wooded mountainside. Fear is her only companion. Silence is her only salvation.

Anna Nicholson had lived all her life under the shadow of prejudice in the remote village high on Mount Louis whose reclusive people were considered as wild and primitive as the wilderness from which they lived. So when she awakes one morning to find herself in a stranger’s barn with a rifle to her face and no memory of how she got there, she is overcome with a gripping fear. Yet, instinctively knew it did not arise from the big and burly cowboy standing directly behind the Winchester rifle or the other nine fierce cowboys who called the ranch home, but instead from a memory she could not recall. Mistaken for a mute teenage boy, Anna is able to hide unseen and unheard from an evil she could not recall.
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Wade Haddock is the rough and tough but lonely cowboy who finds a frightened Anna in his barn. Convinced the isolated wilderness was no place for a woman, he allows Anna to hide away on his sprawling Rocky Mountain ranch believing her to be a mute teenage boy. While gradually succumbing to the bond growing between them, the wall around his guarded heart begins to slowly crumble. Only to discover Anna’s deception. And a memory that could destroy their love.

A lone woman running from an unnamed fear ends up in a ranch under the protection of a burly cowboy who believes her to be a mute teenage boy with no memory. It could either make their life or destroy it.

The hero in this novel is a cowboy who loves his land and has owned it since inheriting it from his father. Unlike his siblings who strayed more towards their English heritage, he loves his mountains and the ranch and never wanted to leave it. So when one day Wade Haddock finds a ‘mute teenage boy’ in a barn who can’t remember how he came to be there or the last 24 hrs, he hires the boy, who is really a young woman, to work on his ranch. He forms a bond with him/her. From there the journey leads them to finding love and the mystery of her life unfolds whilst bringing a torrent of pain and guilt that would take a lifetime to heal.

From the first page I was hooked. The writer knew how to spin the story to this reader’s liking. Still, there was a point when Anna gets settled on the ranch that the mystery of the book seemed to disappear or came to a standstill. The romance almost took over. There were a few places like that where the tempo would slow and just as I began thinking of maybe stopping the book something would actually happen. It was enough to keep me reading and wanting to know how Anna and Wade’s story would play out.

I loved the actions and personalities of all the characters. The intrigue into what happened to Anna added some heart stopping moments when things started unfolding. I don’t think readers will get bored because the characters and the romance between the two had just enough heart and heat. I liked that the author sprinkled in little bits and pieces of Anna’s past throughout the story rather than dumping it all in one place. It helped build the story and keep it going.

Mystery with romance. A heady combination.

Return to Me by Melissa MacKinnon

RETURN
Return to Me by Melissa MacKinnon
Publisher: EsKape Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (333 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Archaean bounty hunter Marek Coinnich isn’t particularly fond of Engels. In fact, he prefers them dead. But to save his injured brother, he must enter the manor of an Engel enemy. Marek finds himself enthralled by the slave girl nursing his brother back to health. When his enchantment with her lands them in a compromising position, he refuses to let the young beauty pay for the misunderstanding with her life.

Brynn of Galhaven prefers to keep to the shadows. When she is ruined by an outsider, she barely escapes with her life and finds herself left alone in an unforgiving land. Through her struggles to survive, Brynn discovers a world she never imagined and never forgets the enemy Archaean who stole her heart.
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Marek can’t deny his desire for Brynn, but these are wartimes, and she is the enemy. And though love knows no prejudice, the world in which he lives isn’t nearly as forgiving.

Enemies turned lovers – what could go wrong, right? Turns out everything could…

When Brynn, the daughter of a lord and nobleman of Galhaven, is found in a compromising position, she is punished without investigation of the incident. However, when Marek finds out that the girl who nursed his brother to health was about to be punished, he kidnaps her to save her from that fate. Being that Marek is Archaean and Brynn is of Engel, both the people of Archaean and Engels had always had a dislike towards each other, this long held hatred is clearly shown between the two. The journey for them is not easy. Riddled with potholes and mountains, their journey towards each other and peace between them is long but well worth it.

The story woven by the author is fantastic. There is not only action but humor/comedy, romance and fantasy. All of these are intertwined with the characters and shows perfect harmony. I was lost in the book. Being that this is a historical book I was very skeptical at first because it seems that writers sometimes struggle to keep the dialogue and setting in its proper era. That means even the dresses, the houses, and villagers-everything-should be from that era. The descriptions were all I could have imagined. The author painted every scene in my mind so it was almost like I was watching it all happen right in front of my eyes.

The chemistry between Marek, the bounty hunter, and Brynn, the Royal, is sizzling and hot. The chemistry didn’t dwindle down with the development of the plot, it just matured, strengthened and burned brighter. Readers shouldn’t be disappointed with that in the least. The way the plot was developed, so intricate, I’d never have guessed that this is the writer’s first novel to be published. Everything fit and flowed seamlessly. From the smallest detail to the most exciting action sequence it made sense and surprised me at the end. I never thought that the story could go like this. I believe readers will be surprised but very happy with the results of it.

Sizzling romance, action and fantasy steeped in history, anyone who believes love conquers all will love this novel.

Left Behind Book One: The Forbidden Voyage by R. Anne Polcastro

BEHIND
Left Behind Book One: The Forbidden Voyage by R. Anne Polcastro
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (197 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What would you do if everything you were taught about your home planet was a lie?
What would you do if you were Left Behind?

ENDIRION is a thirteen year old boy like any other. Except his skin is green and it glows. And he doesn’t have any hair on his head or anywhere else on his body. Oh and he lives in a cave underground. But so does everyone on the poisoned Mother Planet. There is little to eat and what they do have is as mutated as the people themselves. Fuel is scarce and technology exists only in history books.
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Or so they are told.

When Endirion and his classmate Harlo are sentenced to hard labor at the Dump they see things that go against everything they have ever known about their planet. Determined to find out the truth the boys set off on a dangerous journey that pits them against angry marshals, mysterious animals, mutant humanoids, and lands them in the belly of a Monstruwhale. It is a harrowing quest that takes them down remote tunnels, across the Lake of Fire, into the Madlands and a whole new world.

Not every authority figure is trustworthy. Figuring out which ones can be trusted is a lot harder than it looks, but Endirion thinks he’s up to the task. Is he right?

There’s a difference between having a good idea and following through with it to its logical conclusion. I was intrigued by the premise of this book right away. It was gratifying to see how well the original concept held up as the plot progressed. Every twist added valuable information to what I’d learned in the blurb about this universe. More importantly, each one also made me more curious to see how it would all tie together in the end.

I would have liked to see more character development in this tale, especially when it came to Endirion. Given his insatiable curiosity and short temper, I was surprised to see how little he changed over the course of the plot. He experienced harrowing adventures and yet didn’t seem to learn anything from them. It was never clear to me why this was the case.

This was a highly detailed story. It took the time to explain everything from what mutated food tastes like to what it’s like to live in a damp, dusty cave. These passages were a lot of fun to read because they made it so easy to imagine what it would be like to live in this society. It isn’t somewhere I’d particularly like to visit, although I am curious to know what the deer jerky that Endiron despises actually tastes like!

I’d recommend Left Behind Book One: The Forbidden Voyage to anyone who has ever wondered what humans might be like in the distant future.

The Universes Inside the Lighthouse by Pam Stucky

LIGHTHOUSE
The Universes Inside the Lighthouse by Pam Stucky
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (208 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Seventeen-year-old Emma and her twin brother Charlie think they’re in for a boring summer vacation. That is, until Emma notices something unusual in the lighthouse lobby. Unraveling this mystery proves to be just the beginning of an adventure that will take Emma, Charlie, and their unlikely new friends to distant planets, throughout the multiverse, and to a place where everything is possible … and will ultimately lead Emma to discover the unfathomable powers that reside within her own mind.

Sometimes extraordinary things lay hidden in the most ordinary places.
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This novel had great dialogue. Unfortunately most of my favorite quotes from it contain too many spoilers to share in this review due to the points in the plot when they occur. I was especially entertained by how Ms. Stucky reworked common expressions into places or ideas that made me grin, though, and I never grew tired of seeing what she might come up with next.

It’s rare for stories written for this age group to include subplots about characters being in relationships or having crushes on one another. While there was nothing inappropriate about that storyline, I was surprised when it showed up because everything else in the plot seemed to be specifically written for middle grade readers. The romance could have easily been cut out. If it had, I would have been comfortable choosing a higher rating.

What would it be like to visit other planets? As someone who has often wondered about this, I was intrigued by all of the places that these characters see. Earth is unique in many different ways. It was nice to see this subtly acknowledged before the author went on to show the amazing range of possibilities.I would have liked to visit (almost) all of them.

The pacing of this book was sometimes uneven. Very exciting things would happen, but then the plot would slow down to add exposition or share a joke. While I was amused by these things, I also wished that I could know what happened to the characters more quickly. Often these pauses took place at exactly the same time when I was most interested in seeing how everyone would get out of their latest scrape. It was a little disconcerting.

A good antagonist makes a big difference. It took a while for the villain in this tale to show up, but I enjoyed the suspense of it all along the way. There were a few hints about Emma and Charlie were up against along the way. The big reveal was still fun, though, and it made me curious to see what might happen in the sequel.

I’d recommend The Universes Inside the Lighthouse to anyone who is a fan of zany science fiction.