Punishment Summer by Peggy Rothschild

Title: Punishment Summer

Author: Peggy Rothschild

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Suspense

Pages: 260

Publisher: Evernight Teen

SYNOPSIS: Sixteen-year-old Nicki is sent to stay at her grandfather’s cabin near the town of Punishment in the Mendocino Forest. As always, she hides her burn scars and keeps quiet about the mother who ran out on her. But soon after arriving, she begins to suspect Grandpa is also keeping secrets. Her exile brings an unexpected bright spot—Grandpa’s German shepherd, Queenie. The hunky neighbor boy’s another plus, though she quickly starts to doubt his honesty. 

From secret pot farms to human trafficking, Nicki discovers nothing in the ‘Mendo’ is what it seems. When Grandpa takes off and the lives of new friends are endangered, Nicki must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect those she cares about. Before summer ends, Nicki will learn there are some choices she can’t undo. It’s a good thing Grandpa taught her how to shoot.

REVIEW: Nicki is sent to Punishment for the summer for her not following the rules her dad had made. I really didn't like that her dad didn't communicate with her. He just gave her 15 minutes to pack her stuff and took her to her grandpa's that she hadn't seen since she was a little girl. I felt he just decided he didn't want to deal with her and shipped her off.

Nicki had a lot of growing up to do in this story. I think she did a great job. The author tells the story and really draws you in. I couldn't put the book down. Especially when the mystery begins about the woman who comes to see her grandpa and the neighbor boys that aren't that honest with her. 

I feel that her grandpa taught her some very good lessons. Not only to hunt, fish and grow her own food but also to take care of herself when no one was around. This just helped her when he had to leave unexpectedly. Nicki really found out her true self and didn't worry about not fitting in anymore. She actually asked her dad to stay in Punishment. 

I hope that there is a second book to this one. I would really like to see what happens when her dad decides to go to visit her and her grandpa. Hopefully there will be another book soon. 

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson

Synopsis: The world is changing: the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now, kids are disappearing. For 15-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside down when they are torn from their parents one night and slammed into a secret prison for no reason they can comprehend. The New Order, as it is known, is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager. But while trapped in this totalitarian nightmare, Wisty and Whit discover they have incredible powers they'd never dreamed of. Can this newly minted witch and wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?


Review: I liked this story. It was about a brother and sister that were torn from their family. They were accused of being a witch and wizard. Neither had any idea that they were. When they are taken to a prison things start happening that they can't explain. They start to believe they have powers and try to find a way out to find their parents. There disappearing kids everywhere and now they know where the kids went. I liked the brother and sister and their relationship how they came together. Whit was trying to protect Wisty but found out she could take care of herself. They start a journey to find their parents but wind up rescuing kids that are in the prison where they were. I highly recommend this young adult book and I can't wait for the next one.

Greetings Everyone!

I have started a new chapter in my life. I have 2 blogs that I plan on keeping up with. One blog is for new or young adult which is this one and the other is for adult erotic romance which is Mistress Mary's Book Lair. I plan to also have new and upcoming books posted here. I am a personal assistant to 3 wonderful authors and 1 wonderful promotion's person. Please be patient. I have been reviewing for almost a year but this will be all on my own.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy.
Mary Ann

PS. If you sign up for my one or both of my blogs you will be entered in a giveaway for books and swag from authors I have collected over this past year. I have lots of stuff so there will be more than one winner.