Bunny's Books

Our April 3013 Fantastic First Young Adult Pick

This is a young adult miracle of a novel that will definitely also appeal to adults who love a hauntingly historical story.

The setting is our own San Diego in the grips of the First World War, a bleak and paranoid time in history when young men were terrorized and injured by the latest in war technology, such as machine guns, high explosive shells and mustard gas. Simultaneously, the “Spanish Flu” epidemic of 1918 claimed the lives of at least 20 million people worldwide. The average life expectancy dropped to thirty-nine, and prompted a craving for séances and spirit photography.

Enter Mary Shelley, a precocious sixteen year old whose mom is dead and dad has just been imprisoned for anti-war propaganda. She travels to San Diego to stay with an aunt and is reunited with her long time childhood friend, Stephen, whom she now realizes she is in love with. Tragically, he has just enlisted in the Army and leaves her behind to deal with the horrifying bleakness and craziness of the time. The rest of this tale involves shady spirit photography, desperate measures to fight the deadly flu, glimpses at the atrocious casualties of the war, ghosts, blackbirds, insanity, a few attempted murders and more. As if it needed more appeal, the book is illustrated with haunting early twentieth-century photographs.

– Bunny

Mystery

If you are a fan of the Whaley house or haunted places in general, you will really enjoy this little book. The ghosts and the history of the Whaley House come alive and entertain throughout this very short novel. If you are a cat lover, you will be entertained by Styx, a feline detective akin to canine counterpart Chet, created by Spencer Quinn. Shannon Macintyre, a former investigative reporter sidelined by a severe heart attack, begins having visions of Nana Mac, her long since dead grandmother. Nana explains that Shannon has a special gift that allows her to communicate with spirits. Reluctantly, Shannon discovers that this is true and teams up with Styx to visit the most haunted place in America, the Whaley House. She discovers that the residing ghosts have a problem and she is the person to fix it. A few production errors are a bit distracting; however, not enough to ruin a quick fun read.

– Bunny

This sequel to Blood Red Road is everything I had hoped for. Saba has found and saved her soul-mate twin, Lugh, but has been separated from her beloved Jack. Just as she realizes that he is in trouble and needs her help, Saba finds that she has a price on her head as the "Angel of Death" who brought down Vicar Pinch. However, Pinch'ssecond in command, DeMalo, has slowly risen to power and is creating a new Tonton tribe that is establishing a new Eden. In this new regime one is either undoubtedly loyal or dead. How then could Jack be riding with them? Is he a traitor and has he betrayed their promise? What does DeMalo have in store for the Angel of Death? Saba has warrior strength and cunning resourcefulness, but she has an enemy and a friend and does not know which is which. You will love the book but might have to wait for the answers. The Dust Land series has been compared to the Hunger Games and it is an adventure that should be on your "to experience" list.

- Bunny

Mystery & Suspense

An incredible balance of fact and fiction packed with action and espionage for history lovers. Hitler and his Nazi Party have just occupied Czechoslovakia and are eyeing Poland while secretly infiltrating America to ensure that FDR, with his non-isolationist policies, does not get elected to a third term. Most Americans want to stay out of the mess that Europe is becoming; however, Roosevelt is clear that Hitler will not settle for less than all of Europe.  FDR engages a young Jack Kennedy as his personal spy. The Joe Kennedys and Neville Chamberlains of that time still insist on gentleman’s etiquette and fair play while the Roosevelts, Jack Kennedys and Winston Churchills recognize the need for a new age of spy techniques, secret codes and the latest model of short-wave radios. Similar to Connie Willis’ Blackout and All Clear, Jack 1939 places you in the very core of history with details and characters that amazingly transport you to a past that might have been. Definitely a must-read for the WWII fanatic.

– Bunny

Young Adult

This is a very different novel for the young adult reader, one  that takes them away from the popular tales of fallen angels and dystopian societies and lands them in the midst of the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob). Sara Jane Rispolli has just turned sixteen when she discovers that the family business, “Rispoli and Sons Fancy Pastries,” her grandfather, “Enzo the Baker,” her father and her uncle are not what she grew up thinking they were. In fact, they are so embroiled in the Chicago mob scene that now her grandpa is dead, her immediate family has disappeared and her uncle is out to kill her. Before her dad vanished he gave her enough information for her to discover the location of a .45, a briefcase full of cash, and an old tattered notebook – three things that could save her life and help her find her family. Her deadliest weapon though is an inherited “cold fury” deep within her soul that not only helps to protect her while on the run but also establishes her as the newest head of Chicago organized crime. The “Capone Doors” are totally cool… This is T.M. Goeglein’s first YA novel. Cold Fury is just the beginning and I cannot wait for the rest of the story.

– Bunny

-- bkh

-- bkh

This is Marissa Meyers’ debut novel and she promises three more, all of which I will be reading as soon as the ink dries.

– bkh

Troy Chance’s life is quite non-committal as a single, though recently dating someone, freelance writer living in Vermont on Lake Placid. It is on a ferry ride to visit her new beau that, through the fog on the lake, she spots two small eyes looking out of a bundle being tossed off the passing ferry. Without a thought, she leaps into the icy waters and does indeed eventually swim to shore with a tiny six -year old boy who speaks only French, mumbling one word, “Merci”.

After expecting to find a frantic family at the ferry landing but finding no one waiting, Troy takes him back to her cottage to feed and warm him. By the next morning she has still not contacted authorities and has heard no news on the disappearance of a small boy. By brushing up on some college French classes and gaining enough trust from the boy, Troy finds out his name, his parents’ name and the fact that he had been kidnapped along with his mother who he thinks is dead. She tracks down the dad in Canada and the story unwinds into a mesmerizing combination of suspense, mystery, intrigue and a dash of romance with an ending that will shock and astonish you. This is a terrific and most recommended debut from Sara J. Henry. -- bkh

Becca’s debut young adult novel is a great success, in my opinion!

Nora is just recovering from her father’s murder and adjusting to her mom working full time and traveling when her high school lab teacher partners her with Patch. He infuriates her with his teasing ability to read her mind and not only know where she is but he shows up every time. She is repulsed in some ways and strangely attracted in others. When she begins to get randomly attacked and stalked, she cannot decide if Patch is out to harm her or save her. And what is up with those V-shaped scars on his back? He is definitely different but just where has he fallen from… you will find out and beg for more… which you will get in Crescendo, the sequel. Also, look for Becca’s latest, Silence, which will be released on October 4th, and she will be in the San Diego store to sign that evening! -- bkh

I have already handsold this book on to two of my neighbors with the guarantee that they will love it and have a hard time putting it down. Lisa had them hooked on the first chapter.

State police officer Tessa Leoni appears to have shot her husband with her service issue Sig Sauer after an apparent domestic violence incident resulted in her suffering a concussion and bruised ribs. The complication of her six-year-old daughter being missing from her bed and nowhere to be found adds to the troubling crime scene. Homicide detective D.D.Warren is covering the case and is at first convinced that it is a typical domestic violence case in which one of the parents has harmed the child.When the autopsy reveals that the dead husband has evidence of frostbite on his fingers and toes, D.D. and her partner, Bobby Dodge, begin to view Tessa as more of a cold-blooded killer than she first appeared. But Tessa seems to have really loved her little girl and no one who knew Brian, her dead husband, can believe that he would ever harm his wife or daughter. The contradictions mount up as Tessa reveals herself to be a conniving and ruthless person. Or is she? Maybe she just loves her daughter more than anything and anyone. You will find out at the stunning ending. — bkh

This exciting tale had me hooked from the very first page. The futuristic setting and the fast paced action are addictive.

It is the story of twins, Lugh, the boy and the oldest by two hours and Saba the sister who idolizes her brother. When a sudden storm comes up on the desert-like parched plain and the dust clears, four riders appear to kidnap Lugh and kill their father. Saba is left with the younger sister Emmi, who Saba blames for their mother’s death during childbirth, and her pet crow Nero. The unlikely group set out to find their brother.

The rest of the story is laced with cage fighting, chaal addiction, a Louie XIV look alike king, an all girl revolution, hellwurms and a touch of romance. Saba finds an inner and outward strength that she never knew she possessed, as well as, a love for her sister and her new friend, Jack. Do I want the rest of the story? Yes, yes , yes… bring it on. -- Bunny Hand