Gail Dwyer does a beautiful job of depicting military life from the point of view of a significant other. Through Kelly, we experience life in military towns, the struggle of spouses to find work, the camaraderie that grows between the families who share in this challenging and occasionally heartbreaking life. But Kelly contends with challenges of her own, including family tensions, a troubled younger sister, and her own doubts about Matt’s commitment to her. The Roof Above is an unforgettable story, with an engaging main character, about a part of military life most of us don’t think about. It’s a book I highly recommend.
"Dwyer's experiences as a West Point graduate, Army spouse, and mother of two combat Veterans shines through in her authentic and empathetic portrayal of military life. Highly recommended." –Bob Mayer, NYT bestselling author, West Point graduate and former Green Beret
2003. The War on Terror rocks the world, but Kelly McGowan dreams only of the exciting adventures ahead with her fiancé Matt, a new Army lieutenant from West Point.
When Matt deploys to Iraq, reality hits. Kelly, coping with her loneliness, questions if their love will endure. Matt returns from war aloof and sullen, forcing Kelly to deal with her…
Kekla does a magnificent job of handling the two timelines in 2005 and 2024. She gives her characters distinctive voices and personalities. It's easy to follow along and see how events in the past affect the present. As an author who also works with dual timelines, I appreciate seeing another author doing it well. The heart of the story is the relationship between Mina, Penney, and Sheryl. They bond over a common crisis, and they turned it into a found family with their children. The growth of Cole as a character was wonderful to watch. Overall, Prom Babies is an accessible and uplifting book about an important subject.
Mina, Penny, and Sheryl have the typical expectations of prom night in 2005: dresses, dancing, and of course some coming-of-age moments. None of them plan to get pregnant on prom night, but when all three do, they band together as they face decisions that have the power to shape the rest of their lives.
In 2024, their three children - Blossom, Amber, and Cole - are seniors gearing up to go to the prom and facing some big decisions of their own. As they seek to understand who they are and who they want to be, they grapple with issues…
Crier's War is a thrilling page-turner YA fantasy novel. Its world where humans are persecuted by the Automatae they invented is relatable and far too present in today's world. The core of the story is the relationship between Lady Crier, the automata who is the daughter of her nation's sovereign, and Ayla, the human servant girl bent on revenge. Their relationship starts from suspicion and distrust, builds to a tenuous trust and growing passion, and takes a shocking reversal. Their story kept me invested to the end.
Varela created a solid and lived-in fantasy world. The world-building flowed naturally into the story and revealed critical details at important times to build suspense and shocking twists. But the fantasy serves as the background of the conflict among the characters. Crier discovers those she thought she could trust may prove to be her enemies, and the human Ayla who wants to kill her is the one person she needs.
Crier's War is a great story about people finding the truth about themselves and their world. It's message, "Humanity is how you act...not how you were Made," is valuable to all.
From debut author Nina Varela comes the first book in a richly imagined epic fantasy duology about an impossible love between two girls-one human, one Made-whose romance could be the beginning of a revolution.
Perfect for fans of Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Curse as well as Game of Thrones and Westworld.
After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, designed to be the playthings of royals, usurped their owners' estates and bent the human race to their will.
Now Ayla, a human servant rising in the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging…
Dylan Glass, an 18-year-old high school dropout, has been kicked out of his mother and stepdad’s palatial house. Now homeless, he sleeps in his SUV behind an abandoned movie theater in an aging San Fernando Valley suburb. Although he has a job at a dollar store and support from the people he meets, he finds himself challenged by old temptations and a new woman, the alluring and enigmatic Pearl.
Miles away in Orange County, his estranged father, Dr. Oliver Glass, struggles with demons of his own. A private practice and a beautiful girlfriend with children of her own can’t make up for a past of tragedy and abuse. Memories of long-ago terrors constantly haunt Oliver.
Oliver seeks to reconnect with his son. Dylan seeks love and acceptance. Can they overcome their painful pasts? Or will they surrender to their self-destructive urges? Find out in the new adult novel that has been called “an intensely moving story” and a “powerful page turner,” The Remainders.
