Beautiful Debut Novel
920422
A Place in His Heart found its way into my heart! I was amazed to find that this first book in The Southold Chronicles is a debut for author Rebecca DeMarino.

The story kept me anxiously turning pages from start to finish. Mary Langton and Barnabas Horton enter into a marriage of convenience, a normal occurrence for the time period. However, Mary truly desires to be loved by the man she loves so very much. Barnabas cares for Mary, but his heart belongs to his true lovehis deceased wife.

I found myself so frustrated at Barnabas at times, wanting him to realize what a gem he had in Mary! And sweet Mary, she worked so hard to be a loving and understanding wife to Barnabas and mother to his two children. The love she bestowed upon the family was sweet and pure.

A Place in His Heart and all of its characters stayed with me long after turning the last page of the novel. This debut is a beautiful and deep story of loving and learning to let go. I am truly looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
841377
Ashley has crafted an amazing debut novel. This novel will appeal to readers on many levels. The story has a Romeo & Juliet love story (Ambrose & Vasser). A setting not of present time but Medieval in nature. At the heart of the story is a coming of age story for Ambrose. My favorite character was her advocate Roan. The menacing presence is felt through her Uncle and his experiments. Finally, there is a strong element of Steampunk with appearance of zeppelins. The most intriguing part of this story was Ashley's unraveling the myth and mystery behind the Charismatics. I hope this story line continues in Book II. I eagerly await her next novel in her series hopefully with a December 2015 release date!
3886481
When I first set eyes on this book I have to say it really got me excited. I think the three chairs is certainly a great way to portray that the actual story is split three ways between three different people. I also loved how the word ALIVE very much stands out in pink. It is certainly a striking cover.

The story is set over different time periods which I found very enjoyable.

My favourite characters in the novel were Bobby and Rose. I have to admit to enjoying Bobbys story a lot more than the other two. I loved seeing the innocence of them meeting in their childhoods and forming a lovely bond. I could quite easily loose myself into their story as it was one that really interested me.

As much as I overall enjoyed this novel, I do have to admit to finding parts quite confusing. It did take me a while to settle into the story which swaps between the three characters. I think this maybe because it took me a while to figure out the connection between the stories being told to me and until it all clicked I did find it quite puzzling.

When We Were Alive is the authors debut novel. For a debut novel it certainly makes for a thought provoking and intelligent reading experience. It certainly makes you re assess the way you look at death and how at times it can consume us.
610649
The Stationery Box, is an astounding debut novel by the author, Janice Blessington Kenny.  The book tells the story of a Cambridge, Massachusetts family struggling with the ripple effects of their father's alcoholism while growing up, and the harsh reality of their oldest sister's cancer diagnosis. First born daughter, Carla is the charismatic, beautiful, intelligent main character in the novel, stricken with colon cancer as a young adult.  Her struggle is handled with awe inspiring strength and grace.  Carla also possesses a wonderful sense of humor, which helps her dear husband, Paul and family members deal with their heartbreak over her illness.  The Stationery Box is beautifully written, and the characters are richly developed. One feels the pain and heartbreak the family endures, but also recognizes the devotion and love that binds them together.  I will never forget the particularly strong bond between Carla and her sister, Jane.  What an incredibly moving tribute to the author's sister!  I would highly recommend The Stationery Box as an example of a well crafted, enthralling and emotionally satisfying book.
3800526
In a wonderful book debut, Rayme Waters tells the compelling story of Cinnamon Monday, a feisty and courageous young girl growing up in Northern California in a mostly well-meaning but dysfunctional family of sorts. Straddling two worlds of tired glamour and seedy unconventionality, the ever-resilient Cinnamon makes plenty of dismal choices and occasionally resorts to the unlikely moral guidance she channels from the 18th century heroine Jane Eye. The realism of the book and its beautiful style contributed to its power and I found myself captivated by Cinnamon's bumpy, often tension-filled, journey towards adulthood and personal redemption. I loved it and subsequently bought it as a gift for friends. Now I can't wait to see what other stories this author has in store for us.
1468435
Rosslyn Elliott's debut novel is a gem. The prose is elegant and captures the reader's interest and heartstrings from the first page. It's the type of novel you wish everyone could write but very few ever accomplish - intelligent, thought-provoking, humorous at times, and with an emotionally-involving, riveting story that pulls the reader into a fictional world that's incredibly real. Ms. Elliott's research is apparent, and she more than aptly demonstrates she has the writing ability to stand up to the greats in Christian fiction. The characters of Will and Ann, as well as many of the secondary characters, are sharp, defined and well-drawn. This novel is admirable in that neither the characters nor the storyline shy away from the darker, despicable side of humanity. But hope and love prevail, and with it, the reader is left with a very satisfying experience. I sincerely hope Ms. Elliott doesn't make us wait long before the next installment. Well-done!

Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy of this book by the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review.
4844848
When You Make it Home is the first debut novel of Claire Ashby and I have to say that I just became a fan of Ashby. If she can write this wonderful story as her debut, I definitely cannot wait to read her future books!

I am really not into books with pregnant women or babies in young girls because I don't want to have children but this book was so well written and explained that I literally loved the whole story. I saw the pregnancy of Meg as a new beginning for her and Theo, it was heartbreaking to see their dily struggles while their love flourished.

Both main characters are perfectly depicted and described. Meg is sweet, strong, passionate and caring. She is the perfect other half for Theo, an ex soldier with PTSD problems. The story of the secondary characters it also addictive and very well developed. I really liked how in the end everything fit perfectly together because there were a lot of mysteries around this contemporary novel.

I specially liked the love and devotion Meg has for books and everything book related. I felt completely identified with her because one of my freams is to own a book shop like Meg's.
When You Make it Home is the perfect novel for bookworms and book lovers. It is a sweet yet powerful story. A must read for this fall!
280932
First, what a stunning cover. It's entirely appropriate for this lovely debut. Second, this book was well written and engaging, with a main character who takes the power she needs to protect the weak around her. I will definitely be reading the next in the series when it comes out.

World Building: 4.5/5
I really enjoyed the glimpse into Shinery and the other cities, as well as insight into the governmental aspects of Legalia and the magic of the "spiritual world." Reading about rainbow colored waters and The Forsaken added to the wonder and mystery of The Charismatics. My only problem with the world building was the mix of modern day things like sneakers with airbuses and floating cities. Sneakers are not exactly fantasy or steampunk. Several things indicated use of electricity but then others indicated use of coal as fuel and possibly dated technology. However, the inventions in the novel are exciting and show great imagination, even the ones used for evil.

Characterization: 4/5
It is difficult to see the motivation for some of the evil characters, but I understand and accept that the thirst for knowledge can be a powerful motivator. As for the Duchess and company, I found them all quite charming. Ambrose's growth from a weak pawn into a woman willing to fight for those who need her was straightforward and encouraging. She finally takes control of her relationships with men, and I appreciated the struggles leading to that. I wish we had seen more of Roan and heard of his past with Ambrose. Plenty of mystery for the next two books!

Plot: 4/5
This book has intrigue and espionage in droves. With an overbearing government, a married woman attracted to a man other than her husband, and orphans unknowing of their family history, this book is rather surprising in places and altogether alluring. I read it in one sitting. (However, the wisdom of playing a game of truth or dare and getting drunk while your mortal enemy is on board the same ship is not clear to me.)
2222652
Shirl Rickman has a promising start with this debut novel. Selene and Drake are teenagers that come from different places but have both suffered loss and disappointments and have secrets that are threatening to destroy their very beings.

Selene is suffering from the loss of her mother, the only person that matters since she and her dad never seemed to bond. The story revolves around this loss and her growth as she begins to learn what it is like to live without her one constant in life. She is uprooted and taken to her great-aunt Violette in small town Texas. Her father just drops her off and runs away.

Drake is a boy that is dealing with his own demons. He has been dealt a blow of losing his twin sister less than a year ago. He is dealing with the emotional boomerang effect of abuse by someone that should love and protect him and his sister above all else. He has spent his whole life being the boy that draws attention in an attempt to remove that attention from his sister.

Drake and Selene are predestined to meet and help each other heal from their painful pasts and try to look forward. But, of course, destiny isn't finished with them. They must continue through a year of twists and turns to get to their, hopefully, happy ending.
3993246
This is a beautiful standalone novel by a new author.  Shyanne is in witness protection in a college town after being rescued from a criminal syndicate.  She was abandoned or betrayed in the worst possible way by those closest to her and was left without family or a purpose for going on.  She found her recovery in the rescue of abused and neglected horses as well as in the new life she begins.  The story centers around the central question of whether Shyanne can put her past behind her and allow herself to fall in love and commit to a relationship or will her past find her and end her life or wipe the slate clean again with a new identity.

The author has a great writing style and does a fantastic job of writing college-aged characters that look and sound their age.  The secondary characters are absolutely fantastic and I hope we get to read their stories in the future.

(Note: I was privileged to serve as a beta reader for this debut novel.)
594085
I found this novel to be lovely and magical, told in an engaging way as it alternates between modern day chapters (told from the point of view of Simon, librarian and descendant from a line of carnival mermaids and tarot card readers) and late-1700s chapters (chronicling Simon's progenitors, a mysterious woman and a mute man, both with powers not entirely human).  This book feels 90% everyday with 10% magical realism and occult, and it is this touch of the fantastic that really makes it shine and gives increased depth to the normal aspects.  Perhaps I'm just a sucker for a story where a librarian is the protagonist and research skills are given weighty importance, but overall I enjoyed getting swept up in this world, wondering where things would lead, pondering how the mysteries would be solved and if Simon would find answers for him and his family.  In the end, it was a satisfying journey and the ending, while hopeful, was not storybook but real life.  I look forward to more books by this debut novelist.
2889768
The Deathsniffer's Assistant is a debut novel by Kate McIntyre, who has written a story that can justifiably be called a fantasy where a brother tries to protect his more talented sister from being used by a heavily magic-dependent society on the brink of collapse, or a murder mystery from the point of view of a Watson archetype, but with unicorns, magic, and a Holmes whose ability makes her almost inhuman. If either description interests you, then I can heartily recommend this book.

For centuries, the economy of Tarland has reaped the benefits of categorization, a process where every citizen of age has a magical ability awakened, which guides what work is available to them and how they are considered by society. But it has been years since the more powerful abilities, such as spiritbinding, or the control of elemental spirits, have been uncovered, and while political factions debate - sometimes violently - over whether Tarland should end its dependence on categorization, the country is running headlong into a depression.

It is in this setting that we meet Christopher Buckley, a man from a once famous but now impoverished family who had the course of his life changed by his parents' deaths in a very public and traumatic accident. He has devoted his life since then to raising his young sister with his family's dwindling fortune, but with those funds running dry, he reluctantly answers the one job advertisement for which he qualifies, one for an assistant with a talent for wordweaving, the psychic transfer of words from the mind to the page. His new boss, Olivia Faraday, is a Deathsniffer, a murder-solving specialist blessed (or cursed) with magical intuition who doesn't blink twice at a room sprayed with blood, or working during a holiday. Our protagonists appear initially to be very flawed people: Christopher is a judgmental snob who places too much stock on appearances, Olivia is abrasive and doesn't care to correct the impression that she delights in other people's misery, but McIntyre takes care to show us how they became that way, with the promise that they will make a pretty good murder-solving team despite their seemingly incompatible personalities.

My favourite aspect of the novel is its sheer diversity of female characters. There is double the women to men, but number doesn't matter when all the women are flat, and none of the women in this novel are. Obviously, there is Olivia, but also Maris, Olivia's long-suffering supervisor, Rosemary, Chris' little sister whose voice McIntyre captures so well that anyone who has had to supervise a teenage girl will wince, Rachel, the sensible if severe governess, and many more. Despite the main point of view character being male, Christopher is never surprised or makes a point that he seems to run into so many women, which may seem surprising in a society inspired by early 20th century Europe, but makes sense in a society that discriminates between what magic a person possesses, rather than their gender.

For people curious about the fantasy parts of the novel, from a long-time reader of fantasy/speculative fiction, the more fantastic elements of the story, such as the magic system, were easy to follow: in general, the different magics are exactly what they are named. I appreciated that the infodumps that can get out of control in new authors are few and far between here, and that when given, tend to be important to the plot. I think this book is also suitable for people new to fantasy, since much of the setting seems drawn from history, such as the Victorian/Edwardian era, and the effect the Industrial Revolution had on Europe. Many plot points - including a possible conspiracy - are left unresolved for a sequel, so unless you are only interested in the mystery, I can't recommend this book as a standalone, but I dare you to not want to read a sequel after finishing this.
4793581
I enjoy Southern novels and writers almost as much as I enjoy chocolate. It is nirvana for me to be introduced to a new Southern novelist. Stealing with Style is Emyl Jenkins' debut novel. And a stunning debut it is. The storyline is interesting, the characters are inviting and the information about antiques is absolutely intriguing. I will be extremely disappointed if there isn't another Sterling Glass novel. I particularly enjoyed the bright, knowledgeable and interesting middle-aged heroine, Sterling Glass.

Sterling Glass is a divorced antiques appraiser from a small town in Virginia. Her life has a certain simple rhythm that is satisfying. But when several rare and valuable items begin appearing at the local Salvation Army store, she uncovers an intricate plot involving old Virginia families, their valued treasures, and some people of dubious character in and out of the antique world. And if that isn't enough, she finds herself helping an elderly New York man preserve his family heritage. But to help him she must enter the world of greed and danger.

Sterling Glass is savvy when it comes to antiques. But that skill doesn't always transfer to people, especially dishonest people with hidden agendas. It's that part of her character that makes her all the more interesting and special. There is also the small promise of a future romance. But I'm not sure at this point if the obvious romance choice is so obvious.

If you want an extremely satisfying read, this is the book.  You will enjoy it.  Mark my words, Emyl Jenkins is going to be a star!
4893447
This slim little volume is Robinson's debut novel. It is a beautifully written gem of a novel with lyrical prose. Very little actually happens in the book to move the story, but that is the whole point, I think.

At its core it is a novel about loss, abandonment, loneliness and transience.

Ruthie and Lucille are orphaned at an early age when their mother commits suicide by driving into the lake near their grandparents' home - the same lake into which their grandfather's train plunged long before they were born. They are raised by their grandmother and, when she dies, two great aunts (their grandfather's maiden sisters) who simply cannot cope. Eventually their aunt Sylvie (their mother's youngest sister) arrives to care for them.

But it slowly becomes clear to Ruth and Lucille, and eventually the whole town, that Sylvie is an odd duck. She never wants the lights on, she prefers cold food, she collects empty cans and old newspapers, she seems oblivious to social convention and even to the cold. She is clearly struggling with having to stay put and care for her nieces, when her heart is in wandering, being transient and beholden to no one.

Still Ruth and Lucille love her ... until Lucille's emerging need to become a part of a larger society of friends drives a wedge between her and her sister and aunt. And things rapidly deteriorate once Lucille abandons Ruthie and Sylvie to the house that floods in the spring, wandering the woods at night, and exploring the lake in a stolen boat.

The ending is inevitable, sad, and uplifting all at once. The movie version has a much happier, "freer" feel to the ending than the book does, and perhaps the memory of that last movie scene colors my impression.

I love the language of this book, the images are so different  - clear but murky - in a sort of half-dream state.

If you have a chance, rent the movie, starring Christine Lahti. She's wonderful in it.
1444301
The Lodger is a remarkable, beautifully written debut novel. A thought provoking mixture of fact and fiction.
Louisa's descriptions conjure up clear images of both characters and places. Obviously well researched, this atmospheric tale transported me to a London full of poverty, back in the early twentieth century. Emotionally charged and covering subjects I knew little about, I felt by the end, as well as being totally engrossed, I had also learned rather a lot. Fantastic. I shall look forward greatly to Louisa's next book.
4121336
Though I am generally not drawn to the genre of fantasy, the gorgeous cover of this book lured me in.  A mere 3 chapters later, the story had me hooked!  Sandra Waugh's debut novel is stunning, with its sumptuous, tangible description of settings, its compelling characters both good and evil, and its eminently likable heroine, Lark.  As a mother, I really appreciated and enjoyed watching young Lark grow in confidence and learn to trust herself and those around her.  I highly recommend Lark Rising -- and its sequels, for how can there not be many! -- to anyone who enjoys a gripping story, beautifully told.
1304466
Beautifully written debut novel! Crossings is full of love and intrigue, pulling the reader into the story of Eliinka and her harp. The writing is lyrical and moves the story to it's bittersweet conclusion. Hard to put down!