Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 12, 2010

Author Web Page:

His love captivated her …  his secrets might kill her.

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.   After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach and somehow she’s connected to it all.   But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town … might cost her her life.

Gathering elements like Science, Fantasy, Mystery and Romance together, Shadow Hills is without a doubt a PAGE TURNER.  This first delivery by Hopcus narrated the story of Persephone “Phe” after her sister’s terrible death and her life’s changes because of some dreams she can’t figure out. Putting together info with secret entries from her sister’s journal, Persephone decides to switch schools to Shadow Hills, Massachusetts, a place described in the very last entry of the journal.  Once in Shadow Hills, Persephone tries to reveal the mystery behind her sister’s death no matter what, the meaning of her dreams and which puzzle piece the place plays. This will take her to open doors towards knowledge in a place where mystery and singularity of its inhabitants will leave her with more questions than answers while getting close to a costly truth.  I really liked Persephone as narrator. She is a strong, decided character which is featured to the reader in a simple way, which makes it easy to identify with.  Secondary and tertiary characters are well defined in their respective roles and allow the narrative to flow properly.  Romance in the story is interesting with both; character aspect and the chemistry between him and Persephone.  It’s really interesting and the elements Hopcus uses to develop the relationship are good for the reader. Fans of this type of reading will not be let down, on the contrary, they will count the days to read the sequel.  I must mention that the most fascinating aspect is that something is happening ALL the time and when the pieces come together it’s just wonderful to see the way the author combined all the elements. This is the major compliment I can give Hopcus for the presentation of this first novel. Shadow Hills; where the secrets of a town, a love tempted in so many ways and the singularity of a young girl collide in a novel full of emotions to which you won’t be able to stop reading until the last page.

I received some swag material that the lovely Anastasia Hopcus sent me.  I will give them between those who comment on the review.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 19, 2010

Author Web Page:

In the aftermath of Sophie’s ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future.  But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes’ unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened.

With its two main topics; Science and Spirituality, The Broken Lake brings a love story that flows harmoniously thanks to the combination of romance, suspense and some humoristic touches.  The Broken Lake narrates the story of Sophie and Weston picking up just where The Pace ended.  In this release by Shorts we will have our main characters battling to conquer the “clock” and the way each one fights internally and externally with their own issues.  This book is surrounded by an invisible X element that’s waiting to surface to complicate the lives of our main characters.   I have really liked the main character developing in this sequel and the inclusion of secondary and tertiary characters. Certainly you can see a different Sophie who will not give up without fighting hard in the process. I have really liked seeing her more self concentrated, in her love for Weston and slowly leaving behind the girl she used to be. Weston is adorable and the characteristics I liked about him in The Pace are still shining. The tenderness his love for Sophie evokes is certainly deep and at the same time the weakness any enemy could use against him. Sophie and Weston’s relationship in the Broken Lake is addictive, the reader has the pleasure to see their love flourish and regardless their “history”, they keep writing new pages without attempting to lose anything. My favorite moment occurs during the narration on pages 236-243 (ARC) and let me tell you page 241 (ARC) took my breath away.  I’ve read a lot of  YA books already and something that really turns me off are those relationships where “I saw you, you saw me, you’re the love of my life, I’ll die for you even though I don’t know anything about you”, and this is where the difference lies within this book series. Sophie and Weston have history rounding a century and those who have read The Pace know this factor. Their way of thinking is: we loved once, twice and now again, let’s fight destiny, re write our story and conquer it. This sequel possesses a huge heart among The Pace series and will set bases for the journey remaining to our characters, I just wish to see them get where I’m hoping. The Broken Lake, where destiny and love meet again in a battle to defeat the pace of time.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 19, 2010

Book Trailer:

Page: 236

“Wes stood up and reached out his hand.

He slowly led me up the stairs,

making my heart feel all fuzzy.

By the time we reached the top,

I knew that we were headed to a place we handen’t been before.”

I’m happy to announce that (July 5-8) Windowpane Memoirs will be dedicated to Shelena Shorts YA series: The Pace. Each week’s post will be an opportunity to win the contest.  Come and support this great title.  Also I will give away a $25 Amazon Card between the people who comment in July posts.   Wish you all GOOD LUCK!

In a time where so many stories carry the “mortal and immortal” element, The Pace distinguishes itself by knotting two topics that have been debated and constantly separated: science and X spiritual themes. Who said both couldn’t get along? Certainly not Shorts, who has gotten them together in order to create a novel that involve elements like: suspense, mystery and romance.  The story’s narrated by Sophie after moving to California with her mother. There she meets Weston and thanks to this her life and “existence” take a new meaning. Sophie’s character is molded in a delightful way since there is a truthful balance in her personality.  Unlike other “heroines” we are finding in this subdivision, she is decided, says what she thinks, not afraid to ask for explanations or giving ultimatums, but most surprisingly, she knows when to stop feeling sorry and move on.  On the other side, we have Weston, a handsome boy, intelligent, adorable and does not keep a single secret, but several. As a vivid reader, I could appreciate that a pattern I have been observing in this category is broken and the author creates something new, interesting and captivating. For instance, the couple gets to know themselves in a peculiar situation, not on scholastic environment since each attend different academic grades; Sophie studies with an online program and Weston goes to college (not Biology class … Yes!). Readers will have the opportunity to see the relationship blossom, and by this I mean Shorts does not exclude the couple’s dating process and does not limit it to the main character’s room (Thank You!).  The complexity of Weston’s emotions towards Sophie is much emotionally deep, tender and loving than just attempting to: eat her, sacrifice her or kill her. This is the character’s charm and bright.  These factors, instead of making the story less interesting, can be outstanding and involve readers in its mystery that will be unveiled further on.  In order to know who Weston is, how can he be an “immortal” and what role Sophie plays in this complex situation, make sure you read The Pace, a novel where science, love, destiny and time pace are tied in a magnificent way.

 

Although the story does not have educational elements, there are two aspects worth to be mentioned: the author is a professional educator. The way Sophie takes her academic studies and the reason for this change enables youngsters to see that education’s not limited and there are different choices to achieve them.