Synopsis

Lady Elizabeth Clifford is on the run in the newly settled area of Arnn, New York in 1670.  She is accused of murder and has taken off into the thick woods. Her attackers have lost her, and are calling her a witch.  So, Lady Clifford decides to settle into her patch of woods and become exactly what they called her.  As time passes and Arnn becomes more settled, several people wonder into Witchwood and never return making Witchwood Hollow fully steeped in folklore.  In 2001 15 year old Honoria, her brother and aunt and uncle move to Arnn in order to escape the City and the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed her parents.  Honoria is drawn into the woods by some friends at her school; she makes it through and is continually drawn back by a feeling in the woods- something in Witchwood Hollow might be able to bring her parents back and Honoria would be willing to do it.

This young adult paranormal/ historical crossover drew me in from the beginning with the legend of Witchwood Hollow.  The historical aspect and being able to learn about Lady Elizabeth Clifford and her motivations made this very interesting for me, although I am also a huge sucker for dual-time stories.  Honoria's character was intriguing to watch as she learned about the Witchwood,, I was unsure if she was going to fall victim or be healed by it.  From the historical end, the mystery of the Witchwood expanded as lost characters came together.  This was a shorter read that I devoured in a shorter setting, but I think it would have still kept my interest if the lives of each of the lost characters was expanded upon.  While the ending was very shocking, it was a little too serendipitous in some aspects .  I do wish that I would have learned how the Witchwood reacted after everything. 

Wicked Treasure - Jordan Elizabeth Miere... 4.5 Stars
I've loved Clark and Amethyst from the very beginning. I don't think that I will ever get tired of these two.
In this third instalment of Treasure Chronicles they are trying to bring down the people who are conspiring against their country. But sometimes things are not as they seem. There is a lot they don't know about. But with little help from a fortuneteller they will soon figure out exactly what's been going on.
Clark was a wanted man once. He knows how to take care of himself and protect his family. If anyone threatens his family they will not win. His wife Amethyst is just as fiercely protective of those she loves as he is. Together they make a perfect couple, and a perfect team. This time they have to save not only those they love but also their country.
It's a fast paced novel and once I started reading all the suspense, adventure, and thrill made it impossible for me to put it down. As much as I read it is very difficult for me to find something entirely unique, something I haven't read before, Jordan Elizabeth Mierek gives me that. Every book I have read of hers is amazingly unique, her writing style, her plots, the way she link things with history, it all gives her books out-of-the-world kind of feel. What can I say I am a fan. ;) And I'd definitely be recommending this book to all my reader friends.

A collection of twenty six "steampunk-ish" short stories. Some good, some not so good. Honestly, it felt more like a "young adult" collection, and more towards the younger side of that group. I've read much better steampunk anthologies.
I received this book as an advance reading copy from NetGalley.

Keziah has taken on the responsibility of her grandma as she knows she is the only one who can do it. As I read this novel, there were many times that I have to applaud Keziah as living with Oma, her behavior and her relentless battering would have left me shattered. I would have had to step into the shower to scream or take a break. Oma comments to Keziah bordered on brutal and harsh and they were continuous.   Keziah is only seventeen and she realizes that Oma’s disease is the reason why her Oma has changed but some of her comment still hurt the same. Oma has two children but she does not get along with their spouses so the idea of co-habiting with them, is not an option. Keziah realizes it is either her or a nursing home and she does not want to do that to her Oma. Keziah and Oma had a wonderful relationship when Keziah was a child and they both wonder what happened to the person that they once knew. Oma has dementia which no one has mentioned to her.  

 

Keziah must attend public school now that she is living with Oma.   This is a huge adjustment from home schooling as she now has peers to adjust to and Oma is now left alone for hours at a time.   It is a huge responsibility to take care of Oma and Keziah’s peers don’t understand why she has no free time to be a teen. Keziah talks to Oma about the Goat Children. Keziah was told by her mother, that many years ago Oma wanted to write stories about them and perhaps now, she could help her.   Oma says that she was once a Goat Child, a magical warrior and Oma contemplates whether she wants to return to that lifestyle.   Keziah doesn’t know if it is the disease talking or if her grandmother is telling the truth but as the story continues Oma’s narrative of her Goat Children intrigues Keziah and the story starts to evolve. Keziah’s life becomes aggravating as Oma’s disease worsens. Keziah starts to feel as if she is all alone. As Keziah takes Oma to the store, I knew it was a bad idea but as I read the narrative, I was cringing, what a nightmare! There has to be something for this woman to take or something for her to do to lessen the pain for Keziah.

 

What an eye-opener for me to the effects of this disease. I had no idea the full extent of this disease and how numb a person must feel as a caregiver to handle this abuse.   It takes a strong person and a loving person to do this. Keziah was a strong character to handle her Oma plus handle her peers and the males in her life. I wanted to know more about the goat children, I wish Oma wasn’t as sick as she was, so she could have given a clearer picture of their lives. The idea of goat children, it got me thinking.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.