Review of Marysvale by Jared Southwick

Marysvale

By Jared Southwick

John Casey was ten years old when his mother was murdered…and ten when his father hid the truth from him. Without that knowledge, he has no idea of the enemies that lie in wait.

Now grown up, John lives a solitary life, in a world enslaved by ignorance and superstition, when anyone unusual is treated with distrust and even killed…and John has some very unusual gifts. When he is accused of witchcraft, John does the only thing he’s ever done – Run! That is, until he meets Jane, who lives in the bleak, imprisoned town of Marysvale. Life outside the safety of the town walls means certain death from the brutal monsters that hunt there. However, life inside, under the rule of a tyrannical leader, means no life at all.

As the love between John and Jane grows, the dangers of Marysvale unfold; and for the first time in his life, John discovers that there is something worth dying for.

This is a book from a local Utah author. I love that we have so much talent out here and it is getting showcased so well. This is a fantastic book. There are unusual creatures that lurk in the woods outside of Marysvale and a few other towns in the forest. John is tied to these animals but can’t remember how. John just happens upon Marysvale after fleeing from the current town he is residing. He is a drifter and often moves on when those around him start to recognize his unusual talents. You will have to read the book to find out what those talents are – I don’t like giving anything away.

I give this book 4 stars. It is a fun, easy read but has lots of action and drama. The love story is great to watch develop but it not over the top so it doesn’t interfere with the story at all. This is part of a series and I will definitely be reading the next one that comes out this Fall! This is definitely a romantic, action-packed story filled with monsters and tyrants, heroes and heroines.

Thanks to Media Guests for the opportunity to review this book!

Review of Homeward by Melody Carlson

Homeward

By Melody Carlson

From bestselling author Melody Carlson comes this award-winning story of three generations of Lancaster women. For twenty years Meg Lancaster has avoided Briar Hedge, the Lancaster family estate. Now she has been drawn back to her grandmother’s home to uncover secrets that have been hidden for decades and to try to regain the family she long ago abandoned.

This is a powerful story about one girl’s struggle with abandonment from her family. Meg had always been the fat, ugly daughter and was always trying to fit into her family. The only person she ever connected with was her beloved grandfather. The day of his funeral ended up changing Meg and her family’s lives forever. Meg packed up and left her family for good – or so she thought. She was 17 and a high school drop out. She left her only home in Oregon and headed off to California to make it on her own cutting all ties. She puts herself through college and becomes a highly paid marketing executive. But when her live takes an unexpected turn the only place she wants to go is home. Nearly twenty years after walking out she arrives back in Crandale to face her sister, mother, and grandmother.

Meg unexpectedly finds the solace and healing that she is looking for after so many years away. She also finds that she can love again and not just those in her family. I would give this 3 stars. It is an easy read and has a great underlying message.

Thanks to Glass Road PR for the opportunity to review this great book!

Review of River's Song by Melody Carlson

River’s Song

By Melody Carlson

Following her mother’s funeral, and on the verge of her own midlife crisis, widow Anna Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parents’ belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. For the first time since childhood, Anna embraces her native heritage, despite the disdain of her vicious mother-in-law. By transforming her old family home on the banks of Oregon’s Siuslaw River into The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna hopes to create a place of healing – a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginnings. Starting with her own family…

The story begins with Anna returning home after her mother’s funeral in 1959. She hasn’t been home in nearly 20 years. She left and eloped when she was just 19 with her first love; however, her fairy tale marriage went down hill fast. Her mother-in-law hates her because she is part Indian and calls her ‘squaw’ for most of her life. Her husband went off to war and was severely injured. He came home alive but had to be taken care of around the clock by Anna. After nursing him for 12 years he finally succumbs to his injuries and dies. By then Anna is living in her in-laws home with her daughter Lauren. Anna is turned into virtually a live in slave to her mother-in-law and is even being treated that way by her teenage daughter. The story details Anna’s life from when she was a little girl to the present. She finds the peace she is looking for in her life back at her parent’s home and finds a way through various friends and opportunities to stay on the river. 

This story is full of emotion – fear, sadness, anger, bigotry, and of course love. It is heart-wrenching in some parts but over all it is a story about coming home. Coming home to that place of peace within yourself.  This is a great read and will leave you wanting more. And there is more coming – this is a series book and the next one will be out soon. I can’t wait because this definitely leaves it with a cliffhanger.  I give this book 4 stars.

Thanks to Glass Road PR for the opportunity to review this book!