Why am I passionate about this?

There is something about books set in the cold, you know immediately bad things are going to happen! It may be my early childhood in Scotland, or my English upbringing, but I have always been drawn to the dark side of stories, the things under the bed, the monsters in the closet. I still love to be scared by the twists and chills but also am a sucker for a happy ending. In my novels, I always strive to entertain, to scare, and surprise, but ultimately there needs to be an emotional truth beneath everything. And this is true of the books I read as well. 


I wrote

Don't Let In the Cold

By Keely Parrack,

Book cover of Don't Let In the Cold

What is my book about?

It was supposed to be one night in the cabin, a chance for Lottie and her new stepsister, Jade, to…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Winterwood

Keely Parrack Why did I love this book?

I loved Shea’s previous book and knew I would fall head over heels for this one. The worldbuilding is so incredibly rich and her writing so lyrical, effortlessly taking you to those dark places and always with unexpected twists. I love thrillers and mysteries with heart and supernatural elements, and this book has it all. 

Nora is used to the forest, it is her home, and she knows its magic well, but when a boy is reported missing from the camp for Wayward Boys, and the oncoming storm prevents the boy from being found, Nora knows that only she can persuade the forest to reveal the truth. But others who wish to hide the truth will do anything to prevent Nora from finding it, including the missing boy himself. This is a deliciously chilling read, perfect for reading by the fire, and bound to haunt you long afterward.

By Shea Ernshaw,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Winterwood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

"Spellbinding." -Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
"A delectably immersive, eerie experience." -Kirkus Reviews

From New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep comes a haunting romance perfect for fans of Practical Magic, where dark fairy tales and enchanted folklore collide after a boy, believed to be missing, emerges from the magical woods-and falls in love with the witch determined to unravel his secrets.

Be careful of the dark, dark wood...

Especially the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven. Some say these woods are magical. Haunted, even.

Rumored to be a witch,…


Book cover of Luck of the Titanic

Keely Parrack Why did I love this book?

Sometimes you think you know all about a famous incident, I mean the Titanic has been overdone in films and books, right? Well, Stacey Lee gives it a totally fresh approach from the point of view of a young Chinese-English teen, Valora Luck. And while this is a fictional take on what might have happened, the fact that there were Chinese people onboard The Titanic, who at that time would not have been allowed into the USA makes for a gripping and thought-provoking read. And then of course there’s Stacey Lee’s wonderful storytelling!

Valora Luck has a dream that one day she and her brother will be famous acrobats, touring America. But once she’s on board The Titanic, she soon discovers she must hide her identity, both as a girl and as a servant, and use her talents to save her brother and his motley band of friends. But like the ship, her dreams are soon on a collision course with reality. This is a fresh take, giving a poignant perspective that shines a light on the lesser-known stories of the diverse passengers that were lost in this tragic event.

By Stacey Lee,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Luck of the Titanic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes the richly imagined story of Valora and Jamie Luck, twin British-Chinese acrobats travelling aboard the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Valora Luck has two things: a ticket for the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind and making a life for herself as a circus performer in New York. Much to her surprise though, she's turned away at the gangway; apparently, Chinese people aren't allowed into America.

But Val has to get on that ship. Her twin brother…


Book cover of Five Total Strangers

Keely Parrack Why did I love this book?

Five total strangers trapped in a car together, during a blizzard trying to get home against mounting impossible odds – what’s not to like? I love believable situations which you know as a reader have so much potential to take a deadly turn! 

When a storm strands Mira at the airport with no way to get home, she welcomes the kind offer of sharing a rental car with a woman from her flight. But when this also involves another three people, who all seem to have their own personal baggage and agendas, you know this is not going to be a smooth ride. As if driving in a storm isn’t enough of a problem, personal items keep going missing, and it soon becomes obvious that one of the five is trying to make sure they don’t all make it back alive! This is a fast-paced fun, twisty read, a perfect chilly thriller!

By Natalie D. Richards,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Five Total Strangers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A New York Times Bestseller
A "page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end" (School Library Journal) about a road trip in a snowstorm that turns into bone-chilling disaster, from New York Times bestselling mystery author and "master of tension" (BCCB) Natalie D. Richards.
She thought being stranded was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong.
Mira needs to get home for the holidays. Badly. But when an incoming blizzard results in a canceled connecting flight, it looks like she might get stuck at the airport indefinitely.
And then Harper, Mira's glamorous seatmate from her…


Book cover of What Beauty There Is

Keely Parrack Why did I love this book?

There is something very powerful about finding beauty in a dark and gritty situation, as Cory Anderson does in this novel. Told in a multi-person viewpoint, the language is powerful yet also poetic and shines a light into the dark, uncomfortable spaces of poverty and crime, and limited options, but still comes back to the hope, love, and friendship that can exist in-between those places.

There is cold, and then there is the unforgiving cold of an Idaho winter. The setting echoes the biting poverty that Jack and his younger brother are forced into by events out of their control. The crimes of his father drag Jack and his brother further into a desperate situation with no safe way out, even with the help of Ava, who has demons of her own. The despair of poverty, the desperation of trying to do the right thing and being forced not to, and the hopelessness of being in love in a dire situation make for a compelling and original story. Chilly yes, but with a lot of heart!

By Cory Anderson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked What Beauty There Is as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Perfect for fans of Patrick Ness, Meg Rosoff and Daniel Woodrell, What Beauty There Is is an unforgettable debut novel that is as compulsive as it is beautiful, and unflinchingly explores the power of determination, survival and love.

When everything you love is in danger, how long can you keep running to survive?

Life can be brutal
Winter in Idaho. The sky is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones.

Jack knew it
Jack Dahl has nothing left. Except his younger brother, Matty, who he'd die for. Their mother is gone, and their funds are quickly dwindling, Jack needs…


Book cover of Between Shades of Gray

Keely Parrack Why did I love this book?

This is Ruta Sepety’s debut novel and is so powerful, I can still remember the chills it gave me on my first read. While it came out in 2011 its message today seems ever more poignant. History is the story of individuals. Lina’s story of survival in Lithuania during World War Two, against impossible odds, gives voice to the countless thousands who never had a chance to have their stories told. And hopefully ensures that it never happens again.

Caught up in the events of World War Two, Lina and her mother and brother are arrested one night and forced into a harrowing journey from Lithuania to Siberia. Barely fifteen, Lina discovers bravery and courage, as well as the hope and resistance that she’ll need to keep herself and her brother alive. The cold, both in the harsh weather, life, and situation is stark, yet Ruth Sepetys’ writing brings such life and love to her characters, their story will stay in your heart for a long, long time.

By Ruta Sepetys,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Between Shades of Gray as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

The haunting and powerful Second World War novel by Ruta Sepetys that inspired the feature film, ASHES IN THE SNOW, OUT NOW.

One night fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother and young brother are hauled from their home by Soviet guards, thrown into cattle cars and sent away. They are being deported to Siberia.

An unimaginable and harrowing journey has begun. Lina doesn't know if she'll ever see her father or her friends again. But she refuses to give up hope.

Lina hopes for her family.
For her country.
For her future.
For love - first love, with the boy she barely…


Explore my book 😀

Don't Let In the Cold

By Keely Parrack,

Book cover of Don't Let In the Cold

What is my book about?

It was supposed to be one night in the cabin, a chance for Lottie and her new stepsister, Jade, to try to get along. But after a solar flare causes a massive blackout―no power or cell signal―Alex shows up, claiming to be lost and seeking shelter from the storm. When Lottie spies him in the driveway talking to two men in a pickup truck, she’s sure Alex is lying about why he's there.

Before she can find out more, a fire forces Lottie, Jade, and Alex into the blizzard, where they must rely on one another to get to safety. In the remote, Tahoe wilderness, it’s clear that Alex's accomplices are hunting them all down, in a scheme that's taken a chilling, deadly turn.

Book cover of Winterwood
Book cover of Luck of the Titanic
Book cover of Five Total Strangers

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Book cover of Glimmer of the Other

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Heather's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

Delve into this internationally best-selling series, now complete! A fast paced laugh-out-loud mix of Urban Fantasy and Mystery.

I can tell when you’re lying. Every. Single. Time. I’m Jinx, a PI hired to find a missing university student, I hope to find her propped up at a bar–yet my gut tells me there’s more to this case than a party girl gone wild. Firstly, she’s a bookish soul who’s as likely to go off the rails as Mother Theresa. Secondly, I’m not the only one on her trail; she’s also being tracked by the implacable and oh-so-sexy Inspector Stone. Stone…

By Heather G. Harris,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Glimmer of the Other as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I can tell when you’re lying. Every. Single. Time.

I’m Jinx. As a private investigator, being a walking, talking lie detector is a useful skill – but let’s face it, it’s not normal. You’d think it would make my job way too easy, but even with my weird skills, I still haven’t been able to track down my parent’s killers.

When I’m hired to find a missing university student, I hope to find her propped up at a bar – yet my gut tells me there’s more to this case than a party girl gone wild. Firstly, she’s a bookish…


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