Sunday, May 18, 2014

The Witch of Belladona Bay

Title: The Witch of Belladonna Bay Author: Suzanne Palmieri Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Pages: 367 pages


I absolutely loved this book! I knew I would. I loved The Witch of Little Italy. In this novel, Palmieri writes even closer to my heart- in the south. Bronwyn left Alabama at age 16, the night of her mother's funeral. Daughter of  a wealthy, privileged family plagued with addiction (her father to alcohol, her mother to opium), Bronwyn runs away from her life and the only people she has ever known and loved. She is also running away from a supernatural heritage- the women in her family are all witches. Fourteen years later, she is in a loving interracial relationship in upstate New York. A successful photojournalist, she has truly left her past life behind. Then, she gets a call from her father asking her to return home. Her brother has been sent to prison for murdering her best friend from childhood. Her niece, who possess more supernatural power than anyone knows how to handle, is running wild. Bronwyn returns to her childhood home to face the ghosts of her past (literally) and to find the truth that will set her brother free. In order to do this, she must face her past and accept her own supernatural abilities.
This is an amazing story, full of surprising twists and turns. The setting adds to the supernatural mystery. I could not put this book down! Palmieri's books are believable. The supernatural element blends flawlessly into the story, making it intriguing and intoxicating. Now for the sad part...we have to wait until she finishes the net one.

Read this book if...
*you love southern fiction
*you love books with a supernatural element

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Stardust by: Carla Stewart

Title: Stardust Author: Carla Stewart Publisher: Faithwords Pages: 315



Georgia Peyton inherits the Stardust Hotel at a very opportune time. Her unfaithful husband has been found dead in a nearby swamp. With no way to support her two small daughters, the run-down hotel is a Godsend. However, in the times of Polio and Infantile Paralysis fears - not to mention the prejudices of a small town- life is not easy. With the help of Ludi, a black woman who worked for the former stardust owners, and Peter, a drifter, Georgia tries to start a new life.
Georgia also struggles with her own issues of having been abandoned at the Stardust years earlier by her parents. Raised by her (not exactly motherly) aunt, Georgia has had a hard life.
I will say that this story, although a little fairy-taleish in some places, deals with adoption more realistically than the last book I reviewed.  I really enjoyed the story. Not a very deep read, but still a great beach read.

Read this story if...
*you love stories set in the 1950's
*you love southern fiction