Reivew of Half Moon Bay by Helene Young

Half Moon Bay
by Helene Young

I've always enjoyed watching mystery/CSI kind of shows on TV but this was probably my first foray into the world of Romantic Suspense books and I wasn't let down.

The story starts with photojournalist Ellie Wilding on her way to Afghanistan to meet up with her sister, investigative journalist Nina but she ends up having to bring her home in a coffin. Two years later she is back home in the not so sleepy coastal town of Half Moon Bay when the locals need her skills to fight corruption and possible drug running which pulls her into the path of danger that had gotten Nina killed. Nick Lawson fell in love with Ellie the first time he saw her trying to organise a medivac for his sister and has never been able to get her out of his head. But she was the last person he expected to see in Half Moon Bay.

Ellie doesn't know who to trust, and trying to avoid falling for the hansom Mr Lawson is harder than expected, and if she could just remember where she knew him from he might be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. But with so many lies can Ellie find the truth in time??

I loved this fast moving novel that has twists and turns to keep you hooked right to the end.

I'm looking forward to reading her Boarder Watch Series just as soon as I can swing past Torquay Books and pick them up!

I was fortunate enough to meet Helene at a recent Get Reading Author Tour visit to Waurn Ponds Library and this Award Winning Author is just as lovely in real life and she is in print.

If you haven't read her books yet check out her website and Get Reading! http://www.heleneyoung.com/

Children's Books

Ok, so I will admit I don't have kids of my own but I do love and treasure children's books. I still have all the books I had as a child. I have fond memories of being read to as a child and my dad can still recite by memory one of our favourite stories.

What do I love about children's books? They are simple and to the point, many have BEAUTIFUL illustrations. And I believe all kids should be encouraged to read from babies which is why I always give books as presents to babies and children of friends and family - I'm known for it :)

Here are a couple that I have read recently.

A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews Illustrated by Andrew McLean This is a beautiful well illustrated book which discusses the what happens in a year on the farm. It is truthful account and if your reading it to young children you may have to "gloss over" some of it but I really liked this book. It covers topics like the different months and seasons, Life and Death on the farm, feral animals and the weather (including Drought and Flood). Andrew's illustrations are beautiful. Little Mates Series by Susannah McFarlane Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh These cute book series have 26 (so far they have released up to Vocal Violet) plus some bonus books. Each book is based on a letter of the alphabet with Australian animals and very cute (if not somewhat of a tongue twister sometimes). They are aimed at young kids but will need adults to read the books to them. These make great gifts, especially if your fortunate enough to match the child's name to the book like I did with my cousin's little girl Amelia her mum Katie and a friend's girl Ruby.

Books always make great presents - no sugar and can be used again and again

Happy Reading
xoxo

Review of Read my Lips by Jana Novotny Hunter

Read My Lips

by Jana Novotny Hunter

I really enjoyed Jana's book about the battles that deaf people can face (she has a brother & sister who are deaf). In this story "Cat" who lost her hearing at 5 when she contracted meningitis, is sent to a boarding school for deaf children. She feels abandoned by her parents, especially her mother. She is now in her final year at school and worried about going "outside" into the hearing world. At "Deaf City" (the nickname given to her school) the is a war between signers and speakers (deaf who also speak) and Cat get's thrown in the middle when, as a signer, she falls for a speaker. She helps bring the argument to a head with a school debate but at what cost?

I have read a few books about deaf kids (my own sister is hearing impaired) written by both hearing and deaf and found Read my Lips up there with the good ones.