Michael Phillip Cash - The Hanging Tree: A Novella

100. The Hanging Tree: A Novella by Michael Phillip Cash (2013)
Length: 77 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 25 October 2013
Finished: 26 October 2013  
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash and to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read.  
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 October 2013  
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past. 

Set amid the eerie backdrop of Long Island, an area famously infused with age-old legends, two young would-be lovers contemplate their future while visits from those who have come before them reveal the lure of fate...and the power of free will. At seventeen, Arielle's relationship with her parents is slowly deteriorating. Angry and defiant, she is at a loss on how to cope with the tumultuous situation in which she finds herself. Arielle's only comfort is her relationship with Chad - an eighteen-year-old young man who seems to truly understand her struggles.  

Arielle and Chad often meet beneath the low-hanging branches of an ancient and majestic landmark, which the local community has nick-named the "Hanging Tree". It has long been rumored that the tree is haunted by ghosts. These apparitions span various centuries and differ widely in age, but each one of them shares one thing in common: their deaths are all somehow connected to the tree itself. 

As Arielle and Chad commiserate over their current situation and the precarious nature of their future, the spectral inhabitants of the Hanging Tree witness their conversation. One by one, the ghosts begin reminiscing about their own lives - and deaths - as they examine the inner demons with which their human forms long struggled.

I must say that I enjoyed reading this book very much. In my opinion, the plot and characters were well-developed and believable considering the length of the story. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from Michael Phillip Cash in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)
        
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Michael Phillip Cash - The Hanging Tree: A Novella

100. The Hanging Tree: A Novella by Michael Phillip Cash (2013)
Length: 77 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 25 October 2013
Finished: 26 October 2013
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 October 2013
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past. 

Set amid the eerie backdrop of Long Island, an area famously infused with age-old legends, two young would-be lovers contemplate their future while visits from those who have come before them reveal the lure of fate...and the power of free will. At seventeen, Arielle's relationship with her parents is slowly deteriorating. Angry and defiant, she is at a loss on how to cope with the tumultuous situation in which she finds herself. Arielle's only comfort is her relationship with Chad - an eighteen-year-old young man who seems to truly understand her struggles.

Arielle and Chad often meet beneath the low-hanging branches of an ancient and majestic landmark, which the local community has nick-named the "Hanging Tree". It has long been rumored that the tree is haunted by ghosts. These apparitions span various centuries and differ widely in age, but each one of them shares one thing in common: their deaths are all somehow connected to the tree itself. 

As Arielle and Chad commiserate over their current situation and the precarious nature of their future, the spectral inhabitants of the Hanging Tree witness their conversation. One by one, the ghosts begin reminiscing about their own lives - and deaths - as they examine the inner demons with which their human forms long struggled.

I must say that I enjoyed reading this book very much. In my opinion, the plot and characters were well-developed and believable considering the length of the story. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from Michael Phillip Cash in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)
        
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Nancy Thayer - Belonging: A Novel

99. Belonging: A Novel by Nancy Thayer (1995)
Length: 341 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 20 October 2013
Finished: 25 October 2013
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap 
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 30 September 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Joanna Jones seems to have it all. As the successful host of a New York based television show - Fabulous Homes - Joanna is blessed with great looks. She has a wonderful lover and a job that gives her money and fame, while allowing her to indulge in her passion for beautiful homes. Today, Joanna has the life she's always dreamed of, tomorrow she just might lose it all...

Suddenly and shockingly, Joanna will discover what she doesn't have: a committed relationship she can depend on. Now she faces a stunning discovery alone and makes the tough decision to leave her glittering life in New York behind for a quaint Nantucket home with an ocean view. Joanna will soon discover new friends, and unexpected enemies. 

The choices ahead will test her courage; the surprising twists of fate will challenge her faith as she faces a day of ashes, a time of sorrow, and an extraordinary new chance for love, happiness, and...Belonging. 

This book was a good read for me; although, I must say that it was not as good as I was expecting. I found that the central character of the story just wasn't as sympathetic as she probably should have been - at least in my opinion. Anyway, I give Belonging: A Novel by Nancy Thayer a B+! I will certainly be reading more books by this author in the future; although perhaps not right away.

B+! - (89-94%)
   
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Nancy Thayer - An Act of Love

98. An Act of Love by Nancy Thayer (1997)
Length: 245 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 18 October 2013
Finished: 20 October 2013
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap 
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 October 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past. 

Novelists Owen and Linda McFarland have been married for seven years. During that time, they have been incredibly happy together and have worked hard to make their blended family feel loved. Living on their beautiful little Massachusetts farm, Owen's son Bruce has grown into a handsome high school senior with a girlfriend he's absolutely crazy about. Linda's daughter Emily, a sophomore, has come to love her new family. Both children are in a private boarding school that they enjoy.

They used to be such a happy family. Then her daughter accused his son...of rape. 

Shortly before Thanksgiving, Emily attempts suicide. Confined to the psychiatric ward of a private hospital, a sullen, angry Emily claims that in late summer, Bruce raped her. Bruce swears that the assault never happened. Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? 

There is no way to prove either child's statement. Finding out the truth may tear apart a lifetime of illusions, and a marriage. But Owen and Linda must believe their children and change their entire lives accordingly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a truly engrossing story and was my absolute favorite book of the month. I give the book an A+! and will definitely put it on my 'Keeper Shelf' to read again at some point. 

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

David Bell - The Hiding Place

97. The Hiding Place by David Bell (2012) 
Length: 380 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 16 October 2013
Finished: 18 October 2013
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 22 August 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and David Bell is a new author for me.

Twenty-five years ago, the disappearance of four-year-old Justin Manning stunned the small town of Dove Point, Ohio. When his body was discovered buried in a shallow grave in the woods two months later, the repercussions were felt for years...

Janet Manning has been haunted by the murder ever since she lost sight of her little brother in the park. Now with the twenty-fifth anniversary of Justin's death looming, a detective and a newspaper reporter have started asking questions, reopening old wounds and raising new suspicions. Could the man convicted of Justin's murder - who has spent more than two decades in prison - really be innocent?

Janet's childhood friend and high school crush, who was with her in the park that day, has recently returned to Dove Point. He is wrestling with his own conflicted memories of the events surrounding Justin's disappearance. And a strange man appears on Janet's doorstep in the middle of the night, claiming to know the truth.

Sometimes it's easier to believe a lie; but soon, years of deceit will be swept away, and the truth of what really happened to Janet's little brother will be revealed. And the answers that Janet has sought may be found much closer to home than she ever could have imagined.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The plot was fast-paced and the mystery wasn't so convoluted that I couldn't follow it - the story captured my attention right from the beginning. I give this book a definite A+! and have placed David Bell's other two books - Cemetery Girl and Never Come Back on my Wish List.

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Bentley Little - The House

96. The House by Bentley Little (1997)
Length: 360 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 9 October 2013
Finished: 15 October 2013
Where did it come from? Mareena downloaded this ebook from Amazon back in December of 2011 as an early Christmas present for me. Then I acquired a physical copy from Paperback Swap.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 17 December 2011 as an ebook; Since 9 October 2013 as a physical book.
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed The Resort by the same author in the past.

Five complete strangers from across America are about to come together and open the door to a terror they couldn't even begin to imagine. Inexplicably, four men and one woman are having heart-stopping nightmares which revolve around the houses where each of them were born. When terrifying events occur, each person is drawn to their identical childhood home to confront an ancient evil that dwells in a place they all call home - a sinister supernatural presence which has pursued them all of their lives, and is now closer than ever to claiming their souls.

I must say that after reading The Resort by Bentley Little, my expectations about reading this book were quite high. Perhaps they were slightly too high. Not that this book wasn't tremendously frightening - it certainly was. I just found that the story couldn't quite sustain the fear enough for me throughout the entire book. I think I would have preferred The House to be about fifty pages shorter. I give this book a B+!  

B+! - (89-94%)
    
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Bentley Little - The House

96. The House by Bentley Little (1997)
Length: 360 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 9 October 2013
Finished: 15 October 2013
Where did it come from? Mareena downloaded this ebook from Amazon back in December of 2011 as an early Christmas present for me. Then I acquired a physical copy from Paperback Swap.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 17 December 2011 as an ebook; Since 9 October 2013 as a physical book.
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed The Resort by the same author in the past.

Five complete strangers from across America are about to come together and open the door to a terror they couldn't even begin to imagine. Inexplicably, four men and one woman are having heart-stopping nightmares which revolve around the houses where each of them were born. When terrifying events occur, each person is drawn to their identical childhood home to confront an ancient evil that dwells in a place they all call home - a sinister supernatural presence which has pursued them all of their lives, and is now closer than ever to claiming their souls.

I must say that after reading The Resort by Bentley Little, my expectations about reading this book were quite high. Perhaps they were slightly too high. Not that this book wasn't tremendously frightening - it certainly was. I just found that the story couldn't quite sustain the fear enough for me throughout the entire book. I think I would have preferred The House to be about fifty pages shorter. I give this book a B+!  

B+! - (89-94%)
    
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight