The Skeleton in the Closet by Angie Fox

The Skeleton in the Closet by Angie Fox is book 2 in the "Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries," but aside from book 1, there's also a novella (1.5) between the two books. I did not read the first book, but did read the novella. Neither is required before reading this book. 

I have read Angie Fox's other series, my favorite being the Biker Witches Mysteries. This series is not nearly as fun, nor as funny as the other series. This is a true "cozy" mystery, complete with paranormal (ghosts, poltergeists, and energies), with a little (very little) romance thrown in.

Verity Long, the main character, discovers a body while helping her sister in the town library. Because she can see ghosts, the lead detective allows her in on the investigation, and she wishes to help solve the murder of one of her sister's close friends. However, she immediately suspects her (secret) boyfriend's mother of being the murderer. She's also dealing with his brother, her ex-fiance who thinks he might want Verity back.

The story does a lovely job with the paranormal. The ghost's stories are the most intriguing and thought out. The main cast of characters could use more. It's pretty clear what Verity needs to do to free Frankie, but it never occurs to them in this book. It's also clear that Verity and Ellis should stop dating in secret. Another thing that needs to happen is that now Verity has revenge on her ex-boyfriend's mother, she should be able to get back enough money to at least feed herself. The over-the-top viciousness of Virginia Wydell was the red herring covering the true villain, not that he was particularly well hidden.

This is an interesting series, and the story was very well told. I did enjoy the individual ghosts, Lucy (Verity's pet SKUNK), and Ellis. This was a solid read, and I wouldn't mind reading book 3.

I recommend this for those who love cozy mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Never, Never by Brianna Shrum

I love the story of Peter Pan, and I am also intrigued by a redeemable Captain Hook. Both of these elements drew me to this book.

James Hook, age 12, is readying to study at Eton. He's just had his 12th birthday, and his father has recently gone to sea. His mother is expecting a baby, and James is quite content to grow up to be honorable and a gentleman.

When his father leaves unexpectedly two weeks before James is supposed to report to Eton, James is utterly disappointed. He wanted his father to take him to Kensington Park as a last celebration. Instead, that night, James goes alone after dark, and there meets Peter Pan. Peter introduces him to the fairies, and he invites James to travel with him. James assumes he'll only be going to Neverland for only the week before he goes to Eton. However, once he's in Neverland, he realizes he can never return home.

James is devastated, and he feels Peter Pan has lied to him. He is also changed by the events the first night when Peter Pan kills a pirate on a ship James is sure he's seen, but only in his dreams. James remains a Lost Boy, but he is incapable of not growing up. One night, Peter Pan has a Thinning and James is forced out. Worse, while James remembers every moment of being with Peter and the Lost Boys, Peter forgets him entirely.

James goes out to the pirate ship where the crew immediately recognize him as their captain because his dreams brought them into existence. He then becomes Captain Hook, but is still very much trying to be a good man with "good form."

James' story is heartbreaking in many ways. He has grown to hate Neverland, but once he encounters his younger brother, he realizes he can never return home. He falls in love with the lovely Tiger Lily, and because she is also tied to Peter Pan, their dreams of running away together are never realized.

I was sad when I reached the end of the book. I loved James Hook, and I saw all of the plot points from the Disney Peter Pan and the original Peter Pan played out from the point of a wonderful man placed under extraordinary pressure who eventually broke down. There's no happy ending here, and that's even worse for me. Peter Pan was unlikable, Wendy reminded him of his mother, Tiger Lily inflexible, and James Hook miserable. I cried for him, the Lost Boy and Captain, and was so very sad for him as he swam to his finish at the end of the book.

I received the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Gilded The Gilded Series (Book 1) by Christina Farle

This book with its lovely cover drew me in. Jae, who has been raised in LA, has recently lost her mother to cancer, and her father takes a job in Seoul, Korea, moving Jae back to her father's country. Jae has been raised with Korean food and speaks the language, but in Seoul, she attends an internationally acclaimed school where the students are ultra-focused on their grades.

Into her new life, her grandfather and father are at odds because Jae's grandfather believes in the old gods, and he is afraid that Haemosu will take Jae as the oldest daughter. Their families have been linked for thousands of years and through thousands of princesses from her family.

Jae, at first unsure what to believe, begins to work with her aunt, her grandfather, and the attractive but enigmatic boy from school. She is attracted to Marc, but even more, Marc can help her save the world.

This is book 1 in the series, and while there's room for more stories, this book has good characterization, a lovely plot arc with a good beginning, great climax, and resolution. Jae is also lucky that she has a father who loves her, a grandfather to help her, and an aunt to train her instead of some of the paranormal books with absent families.

I would own this and recommend it to my class,

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.