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The Vanishing

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The Vanishing coverThe Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

This first book in a new series doesn’t disappoint! It has all the great elements of a fun and fast paced read. There is mystery, suspense, paranormal elements, action, and a hot romance.

As teenagers, Catalina Lark and Olivia LeClair witnessed a murder and had a bazaar supernatural experience in a cave in their hometown of Fogg Lake. According to everyone in town, there was no body; so there was no murder. Fast forward 15 years, and Catalina and Olivia are running their own investigation agency. For two women who can read auras and sense events past and present, let’s just say the investigation business is going well.

Their lives are quickly upended when Olivia goes missing; and an interesting man named Slater shows up from The Foundation, a secretive supernatural organization. Catalina and Slater set out to find Olivia, and who is responsible for the murders of 2 collectors of supernatural artifacts. These events are linked, and may lead Catalina and Slater to the Fogg Lake murderer from 15 years ago.

Find it in the catalog.

The Soulmate Equation

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The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Format: Book, eBook, digital audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

Single mom Jess Davis lives a life consumed by numbers. As a free-lance statistician, Jess cannot stop thinking about numbers, even when the work day is done. She constantly sees the number of extra hours she will need to work, the number of dollars she needs to make ends meet, and the number of years until she can finally relax. One item that does not merit a number on her list of worries is dating. But when Jess learns of a DNA based dating app that uses highly scientific data to match potential partners, she can’t help but be intrigued. However, when she is matched at a near-Soulmate level to the grumpy CEO of the company, Dr. River Pena, Jess isn’t sure if playing by the numbers is going to help her figure out love. Writing duo Christina Lauren are masters at writing swoon-worthy books, and The Soulmate Equation is no exception.

Check out The Soulmate Equation in the catalog 

Upright Women Wanted

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Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
Format: Book
Who’s it for?: Adults

“Are you a coward, or are you a Librarian?”

After witnessing the public hanging of her best friend and becoming betrothed to the fiancé of her late lover, Esther Augustus runs away from home. She stows away in the Head Librarian’s book cart. She hopes to join the Librarians, a group of “chaste, morally upright women” in the hopes that their influence would rid of the wrongness she feels inside her. But Esther’s understanding of the world is proven to be naïve. Upright Women Wanted takes place somewhere in a future-America that deteriorated into the Old West. The Librarians (more like radical, gun-slinging, spies on horseback) have other plans. Plans that don’t involve the distribution of “Approved Materials”. This less-than-200-page read is, on the surface, a quick dystopian romp, but it also explores themes of coming to terms with who you are. I liked that this book was speedy read, but I certainly see the potential for more world building and character development should the author continue into a series.
Find Upright Women Wanted in the Catalog.

After Sundown

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After Sundown by Linda Howard and Linda Jones
Who it’s for: Adults
Format: Book

Sela, the reclusive owner of a general store in the eastern Tennessee Mountains finds safety in solitude, Ben the mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain may be the only man that can break through her protective shell.  For years, he’s kept his distance from Sela and other not really communicating with anyone in the small town that sits below his mountain top home.  Then one day Ben appears at Sela,s store to warn her about the impending solar storm threat, capable of taking down the power grids in communities across the globe.  Sela must now find the strength and courage to step up and become the leader of Wears Valley, the small town where she lives with her aunt, cousin and a community of people that have known her most of her life.  She and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, danger brings together a community of people determined to survive a new way of life.   Along with two guarded hearts in a battle for survival where there is no more playing it safe–in life or in love.  This story had me thing about what if something similar happened around this community?  Would we know how to survive in this situation or would there be panic and chaos like there was with the pandemic and the threat of gas shortages.

Find After Sundown in the catalog!

 

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

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Title: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Format: ebook and book
Who’s It For: Teens and Adults

Aunt Peg was dead. Ginny Blackstone hadn’t seen her aunt in a few years. Aunt Peg had spontaneously gone off on an adventure in Europe. However, Ginny received a bundle in the mail from her aunt containing thirteen blue envelopes. Aunt Peg had prearranged a trip for Ginny to Europe. Yet, Ginny had to follow her aunt’s rules as laid out in the first blue envelope. No phones, no emails. Aunt Peg provided a bank card, the funds for Ginny’s summer adventure.

In Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes, Ginny followed her aunt’s itinerary as explained per envelope.  She could only progress on the next leg of her journey when she completed the assigned task of the previous one.  So, throughout the summer, Ginny met a host of people, including an eccentric artist, a kindly manager at Harrods, zealous tourists, and welcoming hostel travellers.  She experienced London, Paris, Italy, and Amsterdam.  Along the way, Gin met Keith, a budding actor and college student.  Lanky and quirky, Keith became interested in Ginny and her unusual quest.  By the end of the summer, they weren’t boyfriend/girlfriend but, as Keith said, “something in-between.”

In The Last Little Blue Envelope, Ginny returned to England.  Although her backpack with the letters had been stolen, a tall brooding young man named Oliver had recovered them.  Gin was reunited with Keith, and she met Oliver and a friendly young woman named Ellis.  They journeyed together to complete the quest of the thirteenth envelope.  On the way, Ginny discovered more about love, friendship, family, and herself.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted tale with a personal journey, this duet could be the ticket.

Find Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes here.

And The Last Little Blue Envelope is here.

Feel Good Romance for Teens

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Life is crazy right now! While you try to take it easy this holiday season, check out these new, lighthearted stories.

Layoverland by Gabby Noone
Published: August 4, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Bea has some flaws. She says she is “a hater, not a helper,” but then she is in a deadly car accident and finds herself as an assigned helper in purgatory. It turns out that the place between heaven and hell is in a tacky airport.

If Bea wants to move on to heaven, she has to help 5,000 souls figure out what’s keeping them out of heaven. Bea is manipulative and can call out your weaknesses, so she’s great for the job!

Then, it turns out that cute Caleb is also the guy that caused the car accident that killed them both. Of course, flawed Bea plots to make sure Caleb doesn’t get into heaven.

If you like dark humor, and the tv show The Good Place, this book is for you!

Find it in the catalog.

 

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura
Published: March 3, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Looking for an upbeat romantic comedy? Here’s your book!

But first, Olivia has to work through some things. At 16, she feels like her competitive figure skating career is over, which means she’s not living up to the expectations of her gold medal Olympian parents, the family skating rink business is failing, and her mom’s serious back injury left Olivia as her caretaker, and has left the family with massive medical bills.

Then, Jonah Choi, speed skater and Olympic hopeful, begins training at her family’s rink; and he attends Olivia’s new high school. Jonah is someone who understands what it’s like to be a professional teenage athlete, and as they spend more time together Olivia rediscovers her confidence and passion for skating. It’s time for Olivia to decide what she wants!

Find it in the catalog.

 


More Than Just A Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Published: August 4, 2020
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Danyal Jilani lives up to his family’s idea that he isn’t very bright. But hey, he has lots of other things going for him. He’s good looking, funny, likeable, and lives a carefree life. His only real concerns are becoming a chef, and getting the attention of Kaval. The problem is that Kaval’s parents don’t think Danyal is worthy of their daughter. Danyal’s carefree days are upended when he is selected to participate in an academic competition. The competition is very exclusive, so this could be the way to prove himself to Kaval’s parents.

Danyal has to be sure that he will win, so obviously he enlists the help of Bisma, a potential match for an arranged marriage made by his family. As Bisma and Danyal spend more time together working on his essay entry, he learns of her painful and scandalous secret. His connection with Bisma grows and he starts to realize that his ideal path may not be the best path for him.

Find it in the catalog.