Summer's Opus

Title: What The Cat Dragged In (The Celtic Witch Mysteries – Book 1) Author: Molly Milligan Genre: Adult Supernatural Cozy Rating: Five Stars! The body that turns up in Bron's garden has been there for decades, and he died of natural causes, so she should just rebury him and carry on as normal, right? But resuming the status quo isn’t easy when the ghost of the dead man wants attention — and he’s going about it in the most comical of ways! It's down to Bron, a traditional hedge witch, to find out what the ghosts wants, which is all well and good since she’s currently teaching Maddie, her cousin from America, the ropes about their family history and all of the magical fun that it entails. Soon, the girls are up to their knees in faery folk (don't trust 'em), druids (keen on trees), wild animals (Bron's a healer), the obligatory smoldering blacksmith (sorry, he prefers men), and the maddest Mad Great Aunt of all. Trust me; it’s well worth the...

  Title: Final Sanctuary Author: Hope Bates Genre: YA Science Fiction Rating: Four Stars! In 2055, corrupt leaders control the last of the fresh water aquifers and use their power to oppress the less fortunate. Governments are separated into sovereign states and are often further divided into different classes. In Corain, the wealthy and privileged, known as the Elite, enjoy the finer things in life, while the Workers live in poverty and deprived conditions. Seventeen-year-old Brielle has grown up on the harsh streets of the impoverished Lower Quad in Corain, but as a child, she recalls a happier childhood as a member of the Elite class, before her father abandoned them, leaving her and her mother to face abject poverty. As Workers, only the healthy can make it into service on the mammoth wall that surrounds their city, which is the only chance a Worker gets to make a better life for themselves and for their families. When Brielle finally comes of age f...

  Title: One Chance Author: Sarah Frank Genre: Middle Grade Time Traveling Mystery Rating: Four Stars! When Sandy’s parents mysteriously disappear, she’s left to contend with life as an orphan. Initially, she stays at a foster home with an uncaring provider, but she makes the best of it because her needs are met and she makes plenty of friends at school. In fact, just before Sandy is scheduled to leave to a new orphanage and school, she reconnects with Brian, an old friend from her previous life. He soon reveals that he can travel through time using the magical Stone of Discedo. He’s unsure of how or why he’s been chosen to use and protect it, so he swears Sandy to secrecy and they part, once again, as friends. As Sandy settles in at the new orphanage, Brian and his magical stone are never far from her mind, but she has lots to learn about all of the other children who share a home with her now. Everyone, thankfully, seems friendly, and just as Sandy begins...