Sea Change: The Seascape in Contemporary... Miranda didn’t plan on spending the summer on Selkie Island helping her mother sort out her grandmother’s estate. She’d planned on living her dream by interning at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Instead, she’ll be up to her elbows in dust and debutantes.

Miranda doesn’t know what to expect when she arrives at the house known as The Mariner - the home on Selkie Island her mother visited every summer as a child. What she finds is a beautiful beach house filled with family history. A history Miranda knows nothing about because her mother and grandmother were on the outs for years.

Miranda’s mother immediately gets swept up in old summer ways, attending parties with old friends - dragging Miranda along with her and expecting her to fall into step with the customs of the Island’s summer inhabitants. Miranda doesn’t feel like she belongs with this upper crust crowd and when she meets a local boy named Leo at The Selkie Island Center for Marine Discovery, she knows exactly where she wants to be - with him. But, spending time with a local isn’t looked kindly upon by her mother or her mother’s circle of friends.

Mysteries surround the island and Leo. Mirandra struggles with her feelings of wanting to know more and afraid to find answers.

Aimee Friedman has written a beautiful novel. You’ll be able to feel the sand beneath your toes and taste the sea salt on your lips. Your heart will pound with each electrifying scene between Miranda and Leo and you’ll want to explore Selkie Island hoping to catch a glimpse of mermaids in the water.

Long, but good.

As a kid, I loved reading juvenile fiction. Although I enjoyed series and authors such as Judy Blume, "The Bailey School Kids", and "Wishbone," Gordon Korman was my favorite back then. It's been years since I've even began reading one of his books, and I had this sitting on my shelf, so I thought I'd give it a try. My opinion? Well, the writing style wasn't bad, and the story was decent. However, the whole thing seemed really generic. It almost seemed like a novelization of some TV movie starring a starlet popular with the younger set, such as Corbin Bleu or Brenda Song. Maybe Korman's books aren't as good as I remember them to be; I'll have to reread some of the ones I remember fondly from my childhood to see if they're really that great.

The format in which this book is done is interesting. I haven’t come across this until now. For a good part of the novel, you get what looks like short stories of Valentine’s life before the actual plot begins. I understand how some readers thought this wasn’t the most perfect way to introduce the story. However I thought it was not only different but a good way to introduce the main character, and his background, with background information about the setting in this way. You follow Valentine throughout his youth, then you follow him through the period on where he first starts training to become a “Wolf” (a special elite unit). It’s not until a good later part of the book is where the actual plot begins. I liked this kind of introduction. It made getting to know Valentine easier. It gave Valentine a three dimensional form and it chronicles his development in good detail. The setting is also interesting, however it took me a while to finally get the hang of it (without consulting the glossary at the back). The vampires here are ruthless and evil, so you will definitely not find the romantic stereotype anywhere in this book. There’s a blend of post apocalyptic characteristics, with dark fantasy, and science fiction elements. So really you have a good mixture of just about everything in here. Personally, I like the dark fantasy and post apocalyptic parts. Earth really is a bleak place to be and the descriptions, and characters enhance the setting. Valentine is all right as a character. He does seem like your most awesome hero and at times it could get a little annoying. I wish he could have a bit of a darker edge to him (ie: he could be a jerk once in a while) but he seems to be your average good guy with a troubled past. I suppose that’s not too bad although it could be considered cliche and overdone by other readers. What I did enjoy most about the novel is the overall plot. The pace was good although certain areas did experience a bit of a bump here and there. However all I will ask is for the author to not do any more romantic scenes and I’m shuddering to think if there will be more romance in the other books to follow. I read a particular romance moment and I just about nearly choked. Really? a man would do what Valentine did?? that’s just gross! after having a fit for about a few minutes I resumed with the story (Apologies for not being specific. It is detailed and explicit so I won’t go further than that). After finishing the book I still found that particular passage to be still unnerving. That’s the only part that I strongly dislike in the book. Seriously, just take the romance out of this. It wasn’t necessary and the plot was fine without it! This was a nice interesting start to what looks like an action packed series. I’m definitely going to follow this series for sure. If you like dark fantasy with sci fi elements in a post apocalyptic world try this. Plus, the vampires aren’t sparkling. You might just like it!

Another winner from Max Lucado! Using the analogy of dropping unnecessary baggage, Max dissects one of the most famous scripture passages, Psalm 23. He does so with masterful flair and his usual inspiring and encouraging way with words. One of his best! (And they're ALL good!)