The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

This book was creepy, but in a good way. It's not unheard of for children to be snatched from there beds, but they are usually not replaced. In the Replacement the town of Gentry has a secret that no one talks about. Every seven years a child dies. The people who live under the town snatch a child and replace him/her with one of there own. In most cases the replacement doesn't live. In Mackies case he does survive but he is dying. All the iron in this world is killing him and his sister Emma, who loves him as he is, goes to get him help. The House of Mayhem where Mackie came from offers him a deal. Play in their band and he will receive the medicine he needs to survive. But don't ask questions about the missing children. Natalie Stewart has been taken and her replacement died. Tate, Natalie's sister, goes to Mackie for answers. She knows that the thing they buried was not her sister. Mackie has spent all his life trying to blend in and not call attention to himself but he feels like he needs to do something to get Natalie back.

You can't help but to fall in love with Mackie. He doesn't want to be the hero but he wants to do the right thing. His friends Roswell and the twins are very cool. It's nice having a friend like Roswell that helps you out without question. Mackies sister Emma is his protector. I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Yovanoff's descriptions of the people in the House of Mayhem and the Lady and her followers make you feel like you are walking right along with Mackie. You can picture them with such clarity. They creep you out a bit.

Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

Quick and Easy is the key. I don't like making dishes that have 100 ingredients and take hours to prepare. I don't have the time for that. Maybe one day when I'm retired. Some recipes I have flagged are Pecan Chicken, Pecan Squares, Chicken-Vegetable Stir Fry, Thai Noodles, Smothered Chicken, and much more. Be sure to check this one out if you like quick and easy meals.

The Deen Brothers Take It Easy

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

The love the Deen Boys and their mama. They cook such wonderful looking dishes. One of the recipes that caught my eye was Chicken and Rice Salas with Guacamole. Yum! I'm definitely trying that one. Also Buttery Chicken "Scampi" Pasta for those who don't like shrimp. Jamie's son Jack is a fan of this version. Or try the Mini Macaroni Pies. It's all making me hungry. So check out this book.

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

This is book one in a series called Wings of Glory. The second book A Memory Between Us is available at the library. And the third book Blue Skies Tomorrow will come out next August.

A Distant Melody revolves around Allie Miller and Lt. Walter Novak during World War II. Allie is from a wealthy family and she is longing to do more for the war effort. Walt is a B-17 bomber pilot. Allie and Walt meet on a train to a friends wedding. Walt is on leave and Allie has just graduated college. During their week together they become friends and they really understand each other. Walt likes her more than a friend but finds out Allie has a boyfriend her parents intend for her to marry. Despite that Walt asks Allies boyfriend if it is okay that Allie writes him. Baxter agrees. So Walt and Allie start corresponding and their feelings for each other grows. But of course there are many obstacles in their way. I loved this book. It's always nice reading a Faith based book. Love is so pure and the stories are always inspirational. Ms. Sundin has done an excellent job creating such a wonderful story. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and the war story is fascinating. I can't wait to read the next one. It's about Walt's brother Jack.

Eco-Craft: Recycle, Recraft, Restyle by Susan Wasinger

Reading Level: Adult non-fiction
(5 out of 5)

If you are into being green, this is the craft book for you. There are craft ideas in here that uses aluminum pop cans, glass bottles, plastic bags, take out containers, and much more. One neat one that caught my eye are sweater rugs. Hmm is that a rug made out of sweaters you ask? Yes! You use 4 to 12 wool (or mostly wool) sweaters. Quoting the book it says, "This is quite possibly the fuzziest, thickest, squishest, plushest, most huggable rug you will ever set foot on... and you make it yourself in a matter of hours." You use knitting needles. I don't really know how to knit but I think it might be time that I learned.

Another clever idea is making bags using coffee bags and duct tape. You get a functional bag that probably smells good too.

Make lunch bags using plastic shopping bags.

Cool light fixtures out of milk jugs.

The one I cringe at a little bit is using books to make angels and trees. Yes they look really cool but I mourn a little bit for the books. An alternative to books would be magazines. I have seen magazine trees before.

All in all I want to make almost every craft in here. And I'll be helping save the planet while I do it! :)

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

What if I told you Sandmen were real? Every night when you go to bed your personal Sandman comes and seduces you to sleep. I would have to say I need to talk with my Sandman because most nights I toss and turn before I can get comfortable enough to sleep. In Sleepless Eron De Marchelle is a Sandman. Eron was once human and at the age of seventeen he died and was offered to either move on or become a Sandman. After 100 years of service you become human again. I would think that to some that would sound appealing. Eron is in charge of Julia and two others. He has feelings for Julia that a Sandman is forbidden to have. Even after he becomes human he is forbidden from pursuing Julia. But Eron's term of service is almost up. Will he risk everything to try and be with her?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

Reading Level: Young Adult
(5 out of 5)

Yes, you read that correctly. 5 out of 5. I LOVED this book. Alona Dare is the popular cheerleader everyone loves to hate. Will Killian is the troubled Goth kid. Did I forget to mention that Alona died and is now a ghost and Will can see and communicate with the dead? Once Alona figures out Will can see her and talk to her she wants answers even if that means talking to a total loser. Will doesn't want anything to do with any ghosts because they have been a pain in his butt since he was little and he especially doesn't want to help high and mighty Alona Dare. But they realize they can help each other and along the way sparks fly, sarcasm flows, and this is just a delicious read.