Stories of Troubled Teens Intrigue Me: Old Wounds

Old Wounds by N. K. Smith
Paperback, 409 pages
Published December 2010 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
ISBN13: 9781612130040
Read December 2010

I don't know what it is about stories of troubled teens that always catches my eyes. I can remember the school book fairs and I always bought the most depressing books - such as The Face on the Milk Carton. It seemed if the main character wanted to run away, was kidnapped, attempted suicide, etc I wanted to read the story. It seems that even now as an adult these stories still intrigue me.

I was lucky enough to read a very early draft for N. K. Smith's series Old Wounds. I fell in love with her characters and the hardships they endured endeared them to my heart. I was excited to see her series be picked up by a publisher and eagerly read the release of the first installment.

I enjoyed the changes that she made; a new scene opens the story. The first book in the series does a good job of introducing the characters of the Friday Freak Club (Sophie's language is a bit more colorful than mine and she calls the group she is forced to be a part of by a slightly different name). Knowing what is to come makes me anxious for the next in the series. I look forward to seeing what other changes and new scenes where added since the early draft I read.

This story is considered young adult as it carries important messages for teens that find themselves in similar situations, but it will also be enjoyed by adults. Though I grew up with an ideal childhood, I know not everyone does and Old Wounds examines some darker aspects of humanity. Just as the stories that captured my attention at book fairs, the characters are not left in their misery, but learn to overcome the obstacles and maybe even thrive. I am intrigued by what the human spirit can endure. Smith captures well the struggle that Sophie and Elliot have in overcoming their past and realistically explores the vices they have taken up in order to survive, but now must learn to overcome in order to heal. I look forward to their journey in finding healing and love as the series continues with Little Battles, which is due out in April.

A Suspenseful Mystery: Skeletons

Cover of Skeletons: A Novel of Suspense

Skeletons by Kate Wilhelm
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published August 2002 by St. Martins Minotaur
ISBN13: 9780312300753
Read January 2011

It has been a busy week, but I still wanted to tell you about a book I read over the Christmas break. As you know I like to go to library sales where I can buy as many books as I can put in the bag for a set price. Well, let me tell I might be a bit addicted and have more books than I know what to do with. Since I am usually getting the books for a quarter or less a book, I am not too discriminatory in what I put in the bag. If the cover looks interesting, a comment on the jacket catches my eye, a new genre that I haven't tried, or just about anything will lead me to put the book in my bag. Some times I get good books, and other times well let's just say painting drying might be more interesting.

So it was while on my week break for the Christmas holiday that I decided to try one of the books from a bag that hadn't found a place for yet. It was following my Dekker kick I was on (well I am still on it) and a small statement on the cover said "'One of the masters of psychological fiction in America' - San Fransisco Chronicle". So I was intrigued.

Kate Wilhelm's writing reminded me a bit of Mary Higgins Clark, but maybe not as scary. (I might be a bit biased, the last Mary Higgins Clark was one my mom gave me right after I moved into my own house. The book had a young girl - about my age - that was attacked while living alone. I couldn't even look at the book for months after reading it, it scared me so bad.) Anyways, I digress. I enjoyed Skeletons.

There were a few problems with the story line that kept me from giving it 5 stars on Goodreads.com, but I was hooked enough on the story to finish it within a couple of days. Also, I want to check out a few of her other books (she's been published since the 1960s) as another review on Goodreads.com said that Skeletons wasn't Wilhelm's best novel.

All the way through I was guessing who was who and what was what. There were enough plot points that I could guess correctly that kept me thinking I could solve the mystery before the main character, but enough twist to tell me I wouldn't. All in all it was a good novel of suspense and anyone looking for a good mystery without being so scary that it gives you nightmares I would say try Skeletons.

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And the Winner is...

I had 10 people leave comments on my reviews of K. B. Hoyle's The Gateway Chronicles series. I put the names in the hat, closed my eyes, and drew out ... MAUREEN!!!! Congratulations on winning a signed set of these two great books. I hope you family enjoys them as much as I did. Thank you to everyone that read my reviews and left comments. I hope to have more giveaways in the future.

So Sad: The Oracle

The Gateway Chronicles: The Oracle (Book 2) by K. B. Hoyle
Paperback, 386 pages
Published November 2010 by CreateSpace
ISBN13: 9781451544732
Read February 2011

I finished the second novel and I am sad. There are a couple of reasons. Mostly because it is the last book for now. I have to wait many months (until Fall) for another one to come out. But I should tell you The Oracle needs a tissue warning. I can't tell you if I was getting teary eyed because I was nearing the end or because of what was happening - probably a bit of both.


Some times sequels (especially when I read then back to back) can be a little slow for me because of the need to remind readers of what is going on. I think, again, Hoyle was able to find a good balance between giving reminders and moving the story forward. Not much time is spent in this world during The Oracle with the kids jumping through the gateway a few pages in. We are able to experience a bit more of Alitheia and get to know better some of the peripheral characters.


I had a commenter on the previous post who were intrigued by the narks. I have to say I fell in love with Yahto Veli. I really liked Veli in The Six, but by the end of The Oracle even Yahto has a special place in my heart.


Though the Six are bit more mature this year, still stupid mistakes are made. Really, you would have thought Darcy would have learned something. And you did catch glimpses of her maturity and trying to incorporate the lessons learned during their previous visit. But, yet, there is still more growing up that is needed. I can't wait to watch them grow up. I was a little disappointed that the group was split up and we never got to see what Sam, Amelia, and Lewis were doing while Perry, Dean, and Darcy (and their nine companions) were traipsing through the countryside. 


Hoyle kept the story moving at a clipped pace, giving the words the sense of urgency the plot required. Often, before I knew it I had breezed through 5 chapters. The battles were epic which kept the adrenaline pumping while the cryptic message kept me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale - I want to go back and read it again, but I think I will buy the paperback edition for my second read through.


You my readers, though, still have an opportunity to win a signed set of Books 1 and 2 from K. B. Hoyle. Leave a comment on either this post or the one for The Six by midnight EST Saturday Feb. 26 and your name will be dropped in the hat. I'll announce the winner on my blog on Sunday. Happy Reading!


Note: The series has been picked up by The Writer's Coffee Shop. The first three titles will be re-released starting with THE SIX on April 5.

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Fantastical Start to Fantasy Series: The Six

The Gateway Chronicles: The Six by K. B. Hoyle
Paperback, 386 pages
Published: November 2009 by CreateSpace
ISBN13: 9781449535797
Read: February 2011
Goodreads, Amazon


A few weeks ago author K. B. Hoyle contacted me about reading her books. She described The Gateway Chronicles as Chronicles of Narnia meets Harry Potter. Having read Book 1, I agree it has the other worldly feel of Narnia, the magic of Harry Potter, but would add there's a touch of The Last Airbender, too. 


I really enjoyed The Six. I had trouble focusing on anything else and would often tell myself "I'll just read one chapter" yeah right. I even snuck in some lunch time reading at work and would read snippets while working on publishing house stuff. Within the first few pages I was totally sucked in to the story.


I love Hoyle's descriptions at the beginning of the story. which continued throughout the book. She created rich images with her words, without weighing it down with too much detail (which is often a hard balance for an author to find). This series is for young adults and I was pleased that the reading level and subject matter fit her audience while still being interesting to the adult reader. Hoyle does a wonderful job of capture young teen angst. 


"It took her a moment to remember she was not happy to be there." 


"Darcy followed slowly behind imagining as she went that she was going to her doom."



Ah... the melodrama of being a 13 year old. However, it is this awkward teen that drew me in to the story. I desperately wanted to know what would happen to her, especially with the "energy" she felt on the beach. Is she awkward because she is a 13 year old girl or is there something truly different about Darcy Pennington?


I will admit that she almost lost me when we jumped through the gateway and were greeted by mythical creatures. It's not a secret that I shy away from the fantasy genre when reading and the mention of nymphs, dryads, naiads and oreads (the latter three of which I had no clue what they were) had me worried that I wouldn't be able to continue. But, again, Hoyle came to the rescue with aptly placed descriptions of these magical beings. And by this point I was too intrigued with where the story was headed to give up.


I really did love this story; there was never a dull moment. When I read the last sentence I was so glad to know that I had the next book in the series to move on to. I might go in to withdraws when I finish The Oracle. I'm already a third of the way through it and hope to share my thoughts later in the week, but at the same time I want to go slowly and savor each passage.

Add to your Goodreads Shelf:
The Six (The Gateway Chronicles 1) by K. B. Hoyle

7/7/2011 I'm participating in Review Appreciation Day at The Cait Files. This week's theme is MAGIC. Check out the participating blogs as they share their book reviews.

2/27/2012 The Gateway Chronicles is now under contract with Australia-based publisher The Writer's Coffee Shop. They will be re-releasing the first 3 books in the series starting with The Six on April 5. 

Related articles

• The Six (talkingsupe.com)
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• Holiday Buying Guide (girl-who-reads.com)
• The Oracle (The Gateway Chronicles Book 2) by K.B. Hoyle (abshepherdsreinventedreader.blogspot.com)
• Review: The Six by K.B. Hoyle (thesolitarybookworm.com)
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What's Valentine's Day without Romance

Blind Faith by Michael Schneider
paperback, 181 pages
Published October 2010 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
Read December 2010

It is Valentine's Day so I feel obligated to tell you about a romance novel today. I don't often read romance novels because I find myself growing discontent with my single life when I do. You know, wondering when my Prince Charming or Charles Darney or who ever is the lead male of the current book I'm reading will arrive. I have to say after reading Blind Faith I might have felt a bit better about living the single life.

To be honest with my readers, Blind Faith is a book published by the publishing house I work for on a part-time basis as their marketing director. It was our first book published and I worked with Michael on marketing this book. She was very sweet and sent me an autographed copy. I was a fan of Michael's online writing and might have had a bit of a fan girl moment when I found out I would be working with her.

Between working my other job, the releases of several other books, and life in general, I didn't get to sit down with this book until my Christmas holidays. I was excited to read it to be honest and I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed.

I hated Chase, was disappointed with Karsyn's decisions, and wanted to strangle Gabriel a few times. I literally had to put the book down several times because my blood would be boiling over the idiotic things the characters would do so that I didn't do something rash like throw the book across the room. (It's a signed 1st edition - I didn't want to ruin it). Seriously, I have never seen a group of people that were worse at communicating with one another as the characters in Blind Faith. You might be thinking that all these negative emotions I had for the characters would have me giving this book a bad review, but that is not the case at all. I love stories that evoke such strong emotions in me. I can't remember the last book that had me seething as much as Michael Schneider's Blind Faith.

I did say this was a romance so there is wooing and jealously and passion throughout the novel as well. It is an easy read that kept my attention throughout (even when I had to set it down it was only a few moments later that I was picking up again because I had to see how it all worked out). If you are looking for a romance novel to read that isn't all lovely dovey and mushy, but one that has flawed characters and full of real emotion then I recommend Blind Faith.

You can also see a recent interview with Michael Schneider at The Sunday Book Review.

Note: As mentioned in my disclaimer, the opinions expressed on this blog are my own and do not reflect the opinions of the organizations I am affiliated with. In addition, I am not paid (it's not in my job description) to provide reviews for any books published by The Writer's Coffee Shop.

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