HOLLOW EARTH by John Barrowman & Carol E Barrowman

A little magic and mystical powers can go a long way.
Matt and Em Calder are 12 and twins, they live with their mother Sandie in London.  As with a lot of twins they have a language of their own, however they have no idea of what powers they have.  While waiting for their mom at the art gallery, they end up drawing a copy of a painting and somehow they end up in the painting swimming with the boy in the picture.  Now they've done it, their mom hurries them home.  Where she rushes to get them packed and out the door.  Unfortunately, they are not quick enough and people show up banging on the door.  They managed to escape and end up heading to Scotland and a grandfather they do not remember.   At their grandfathers estate, which is a former abbey; they learn about Guardians and Animares.  Also, they discover their mom is an Animare and their father was a Guardian.  These two groups of special people were never to have children because of the combining of the powers.  There is also a group that believe in the Hollow Earth and its monsters.
What will happen as they have one escaped after another?

AMAZON - Hollow Earth

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER by Dorothea Benton Frank

A first read for me of her work.  I did finish the book, however it was a bit tedious for me.

Caroline has taken her son Eric and moved home to Tall Pines Plantation in South Carolina following her divorce.  Also, living on the plantation are her brother Trip and his girlfriend Rusty and Millie and Mr. Jenkins who are long time servants. Caroline is in the main plantation home and the others have homes on the property.  The story is written from Caroline's point of view including her thoughts. A serious of catastrophes occur including her sister in law's drunkenness and disorderly conduct causing a return to a clinic for alcoholism.
Trip has 4 daughters, Amelia who is a Jr at college, Belle a senior in high school, Linnie a Junior and Chloe 8 years old.  Other than Amelia the others have issues that need to be dealt with.

AMAZON - Lowcountry Summer

SANDY SAYS 2/3 STARS

CRYSTAL COVE-a Friday Harbor Novel by Lisa Kleypas

An unusual story, about Justine who is a natural born witch.  I usually don't read these type stories, however this pulled me in and I read it in a day.

Justine owns a bed and breakfast in the Pacific Northwest.  She is comfortable and has everything she needs except the one thing she wants, love.  She has tried everything including spells with no success.    She was raised by her mother Marigold, her father died when she was young.  Marigold moved on a whim and never gave Justine the love she craved.  Justine's bed and breakfast is rented out in full for a group from a video game company.  The elusive and very rich Jason and Justine meet and things start to happen.  One thing about natural born witches, is that they lose their spouse or loved ones.
What will happen?

AMAZON - Crystal Cove-a Friday Harbor Novel

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

SEA CHANGE by Karen White

A story about Ava Whalen and her new husband Matthew.  They move into Matthew's updated but centuries old family home on St. Simons Island, Georgia.  What Matthew does not know is Ava is deathly afraid of water.  And, they live right on the water.  Ava has no memories before the age of 2.  Matthew agrees to put her under hypnosis and she begins to find out what she believes is her past life.  This story is also about Pamela and Geoffrey who lived in the 1800's. This book jumps back and forth between the two stories, with a lot of twists and turns.  Ava becomes interested in local history and begins to research it, unaware of what she may uncover.  She is also trying to find out about Matthew's first wife.

I don't really like books that jump back and forth like this one did, however I did finish the book and if that doesn't bother you, you may enjoy it.

AMAZON - Sea Change

SANDY SAYS 2/3 STARS

SURRENDER BAY-a Nantucket Love Story by Denise Hunter

This is a first time read of one of Denise's books.  I enjoyed it.

Samantha-Sam and Landon grew up a little New England Island, living right on the ocean.  They were best friends and always together.  Even though they lived 2 doors apart, their childhoods were total opposites.  Landon had a loving family including a brother Bailey.  Sam's dad died when she was young and her mother remarried Emmett.  Then one day Sam's mother took the boat and all her things except for Sam and left.  She never came back.  Emmett had adopted Sam at this point.  Emmett was a drunk and a hard task master-making Sam do all the work.  He also started locking her in her closet.  She never told anyone because he told her it was her fault.
Landon goes off to college and Sam leaves the island after Landon's brother dies.  Years later Sam gets a letter informing her that Emmett has died and left her the cottage.  Knowing that ocean front property would fetch a lot of money therefore securing her and her daughter Caden's future, she returns to the island to get the house ready to be sold.   This is not easy as she is bringing secrets.  The story also has references to God.

AMAZON - Surrender Bay- A Nantucket Love Story

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS