Beside a Burning Sea

Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After I read the wonderful novel The Wishing Trees, I knew that I had to read John Shors’ earlier works. Beside a Burning Sea is the enduring story of how love and forgiveness can overcome all things. Set in the South Pacific, during World War II a US hospital ship named the Benevolence is afloat with hundreds of men, women, and the injured. Unknown to its occupants, a traitorous American officer is aboard, a man who has sold out to the enemy and who knows that within minutes the ship will be bombed and sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor. Only nine survive the horrible explosion, including the betrayer, the captain of the ship, two nurses, an injured Japanese soldier and a child. Managing to barely swim to a lovely island, not yet destroyed by fighting, they do not yet know that the Japanese fleet is headed their way. Amidst the guilt, revenge, and horrible, tragic memories, love and a hope for the future survive.




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The Book of Tomorrow

The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tamara Goodwin, 16, lived in a 7,000-square-foot, six-bedroom mansion, complete with a swimming pool, tennis court, a private beach in Killiney, Ireland. That is, she did live there until her father committed suicide and Tamara and her mom discovered they were bankrupt. Needing a home, they moved to the middle of nowhere with Tamara's aunt, Rosaleen and uncle, Arthur - the Deliverance Duo - as Tamara calls them. Her mom, once settled in, seems to go into a dark depression and barely stirs from her bed, while her aunt is acting rather strange and seems to be hiding something. The house they live in is the gatehouse that once protected the side entrance to Kilsaney Castle, built sometime between 1100 and 1200. Tamara is drawn to the rundown castle and the secrets it hides.

When a traveling library stops at the gatehouse one day, by mistake, she unconcernedly hops aboard and finds a leather-bound book and takes it back to the gatehouse. After prying open the lock, Tamara, sees her own handwriting - but dated for the next day. Can she change the series of events, happening around the castle, before they unfold?



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Unlocked

Unlocked: A Love Story by Karen Kingsbury

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ella and Holden were best friends as children, as were their parents. Around
three years of age, Holden's life dramatically changed and he developed
autism. The families drifted apart as they coped with the changes stemming
from Holden's diagnosis. Fast forward 15 years, Ella realizes that the
young, handsome man that her boyfriend, Jake and his football friends are
bullying at school, is the same Holden. As she practices for her senior
play, Ella also realizes that the music is changing and unlocking the doors
within Holden. Can Ella help her best friend and stop the torment at her
high school before someone gets hurt? A revealing look at autism and the
pain caused from bullying.




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Unlocked

If You Could See Me Now

If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you've ever read any of Cecelia Ahern's novels, you know that her books are rather endearing, romantic, and sweet. If You Could See Me Now begins with Elizabeth's flighty, unreliable younger sister, Saoirse, stealing the car and taking off for parts unknown, again! Elizabeth, who adopted Saoirese's son, Luke, is left trying to care for him and her angry, aging father. Luke, only six years old and lonely, finds solace in a new, invisible friend named Ivan. Elizabeth, who is a no nonsense, very precise, and controlled woman suddenly finds herself sensing something or someone around the house. Is Ivan really invisible to adults and children, other than Luke and can he help Elizabeth reclaim some fun and spontaneity in her life?



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The Wishing Trees

The Wishing Trees by John Shors

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A lovely, moving book about a father and daughter who are struggling at moving on after the death of the woman they both love. Years ago an Australian boy, Ian falls in love with an American girl, Kate, while working in Japan. Tramping around Asia, the couple decide to marry and move back to America, where they produce a daughter, Mattie, who has her mother's artistic skills. As Ian and Kate's 15th anniversary draws nearer, they plan another romp around Asia, but cancer interrupts their plans. However, 10 months after Kate's death, Ian opens a box, with a letter from Kate imploring him to continue with the trip to Asia in hopes that he and Mattie will learn to be happy and laugh again. Needed: plenty of tissues.



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