A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Summary: A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford takes paranormal romance in a new direction and I love it.  This is a book that I read and wished I had written myself because there is so much potential for continuing the story of these characters and the world they inhabit. And, to my great joy, it is a series!

Eden is a normal teenage girl, if being ignored by everyone and pondering suicide is normal.  Standing on the beach considering her options, she meets Az.  He sees her like no one else does, and she is immediately drawn into his world. 

Az is attracted to her from the moment he sees her; he is even more intrigued when she is unimpressed by his opening line. It takes almost no time at all until the pair become inseparable, shadowed by Az’s friend Gabe.

But Az & Gabe have a secret. A secret that truly is a matter of life or death for Leah.  And the only way for Eden & Az to truly be together will take Eden in a direction she was already headed.  But can she still love Az after he pushes her over the edge?  Can she trust anyone? And why, even in a world where some suicides have seemingly eternal life, is she different in a terrifying way?

Wow.  Really, wow.  It was so hard to write a good summery of this book without giving away the awesome twists and surprises within! My paragraphs do not do it justice – but I don’t want to ruin it.  I must get the next in the series!

Themes:
Death
Grief
Love
Courage
Betrayal

Age Appropriateness:
14 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: mild
Nudity/Adult Content: mild
Violence: moderate

Dark Souls by Paula Morris

Summary: Dark Souls by Paula Morris (author of Ruined) is another great addition to my collection of mysterious and slightly creepy teen novels.

Miranda and her family, including her older brother Rob, are visiting York, England during winter break.  For their parents, it is a working vacation; their mother is conducting a musical performance at the local cathedral while their father is presenting at a historical conference.  But there is another motive for this family vacation; getting Rob & Miranda away from home and the bad memories of a fatal accident that loom over them there.

Miranda is glad for the chance to get away from the stares, the whispers, and the guilt.  Wandering the streets of York is new and exciting – and becomes even more so when she meets Nick, a boy about her age who knows all the secrets of the town.  Even better, Nick & Miranda have something in common – they can both see ghosts, and York is full of them.

One of these ghosts lives just across the street from where Miranda is staying.  She is fascinated with this handsome face that peers out to window and seems to reach out to her, trying to tell her a secret.

Rob also finds a distraction. Sally’s family owns a local pub.  She doesn’t know that Rob is still reeling from a tragedy.  He likes that she just sees him – no past baggage involved.  When somebody targets Sally’s family pub, he is determined to help at any cost.

Miranda and Rob have to overcome their individual issues to save Sally’s family business and themselves in this fast-moving and suspenseful novel.  I loved Ruined and I think Dark Souls  is just as good, possible better.  A worthy lazy summer read! (Or a great by-the-fire winter one!)

Themes:
Family
Death
Grief
Courage

Age Appropriateness:
12 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: mild
Violence: mild