You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2008.
Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton is a heartwarming tale of magic, a special small town and how love may save the day.
Chloe Hobbs was orphaned at the age of six, but was raised by an entire town. Now, at 30 Chloe has given up on love ever finding her and feeling guilty over what she owes Sugar Maple, Vermont, the town that raised her, loved her and had protected her. For Sugar Maple isn’t your average town. There are werewolves, vampires, witches, Trolls and Fae. Sugar Maple has survived for over 300 hundred years with no one discovering it’s odd residents secrets thanks to a protective spell one of Choe’s ancestors cast. But, Chloe shows no signs of magic or of being able to keep the town protected, setting the town up for a battle between good and evil, for the spell is starting to fade. Already a murder has occured, bringing a policman into their midst to unravel the town’s secrets, and Chloe’s heart. It seems that with love comes great power, but will it be enough for Chloe to defeat the threat to her town, and keep her heart intact?
Casting Spells is a touching book filled with a wonderful ensemble cast of characters. This book may be a departure for Barbara Bretton from her contemporaries, but one I truly enjoyed. I look forward to many more books in this vein from the author!
You can read more about this authors books at: www.barbarabretton.com
Everything Nice by Ellen Shanman is a touching look at a woman who has lost everything and how she found herself along the way back. Mike Edwards, born Michaela, was raised by a widower father. She has recently lost her job, one reason being her lack of tact and ability to get along with others. Now she must deal with having to move back in with her father and find a job. She is finally given a chance working at an Independant School as a substitute teacher in a Life Skills class. Otherwise known as Home Economics. However, Mike gives the class an update that she feels in relevant in this day and age-no more baking brownies or crotcheting doilies for her! While trying to understand her changing world she encounters new people and new problems. Her father is getting married and she’s the Best Man. Her Step-Mother to be is nice enough, but she’s never known how to act around other women. The man she thinks is her best friend is in love with her and she has no idea how to deal with it all.
Mike is a hard character to like in some spots. She’s constantly running not only from herself, but those who care about her. Above all her ability to change and learn life lessons is what makes this book a charning read. This book is touching and there are moments when Mike has reached as low as you think can and then she rises like a Pheonix. Truly an enjoyable and emotional read that leaves you with a smile.
