#Monday 09/21 Review - Firewalker by Josephine Angelini (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: The Worldwalker Trilogy # 2
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages 
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini! 

“Haven’t you learned yet? Someone has to be the villain so everyone else can stay alive.”

Firewalker is the second installment in the Worldwalker Trilogy. If you haven't read Trial by Fire yet, please stop, or continue only if you don't care that there might be slight spoilers in this review. At the end of Trial of Fire, 17-year old Lily Proctor and her lead mechanic, Rowan Fall, jumped back to Lily's world. In the process, Lily arrives back home in pretty bad shape with burns all over her body. One could say that the first third of this book was the slowest since it was mostly spent with Lily recovering, and spending a whole lot of time in Lillian's memories. 

It also doesn't help that Lily, who disappeared for several months without a trace, has the FBI involved in trying to find out where she was all this time and has everyone under scrutiny, including her parents. But, there are several positives. First, her mother Samantha isn't bat shit crazy as previously thought. She really IS seeing what she's seeing. Second, her relationship with her older sister Juliet actually grows after spending time with Lillian's Juliet.  

While Lily is reconnecting with friends like Stuart "Breakfast" Doyle, Una Stone, and Tristen, who will shortly become part of her coven along with Juliet and Rowan, Rowan is teaching them how to be a witches mechanic. On the flip side, Lillian refuses to leave Lily alone. In fact, Lillian takes Lily on a personal journey from the time she was a leader who was all about Social Justice, to becoming someone who goes after scientists with a vengeance. I have to say that I didn't actually mind Lillian's flashbacks nor do I blame her for what she set out to accomplish. 

I liked learning about what turned her around so much that she decided to change her entire philosophy. I dare say that her choices made a whole lot of sense once you realize how awful the fire worlds where that Lillian traveled to, and the possibilities of that happening to her own world or Lily's are unimaginable. Readers should know that the next third of the story is spent returning to Lillian's reality. This time, Lily has Rowan, Tristen, Breakfast and Una along for the ride, while reunited with Caleb, Tristen2, and Juliet2.

As Lily's group returns to Lillian's reality, there are a whole lot of secrets, mistrusts, betrayals, and a journey across no man's land that is fraught with danger, and some mind blowing characters that make up the Woven (The Pack and The Hive). This is a brutal trip and there will be some instances where readers will have some emotional feelings about the loss of certain characters. What's worse is that Angelini leaves readers in a state of suspended animation with yet another back breaking cliffhanger.

The third book in the trilogy is called Traitor's Pyre, and will release September, 2016. 

 **I received this book for free from (Publisher) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble 

#Review - Shadows at Midnight by Amanda Bonilla (Urban Fantasy/Romance)

Series: Shaede Assassin # 5
Format: E-Galley, 208 pages
Release Date: September 24, 2015
Publisher: NYLA
Source: Author Amanda Bonilla
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romance

Has Darian’s past finally caught up with her? 

The Rakshasa queen, Padma, has a score to settle—she wants those responsible for her son’s death to pay and to pay dearly. Darian, Tyler and Xander are all at risk—and Padma’s powers could force them to live the rest of their lives in the madness of the Realm of Illusions… 

While Darian is taken and is the first to suffer, she’s soon rescued by Tyler, the one man to never disappoint. But what Darian doesn’t know is that her freedom comes at a steep price—Xander’s the King of Shaedes, imprisonment. Darian knows what horrors await in Padma’s dungeon. A rescue mission won’t be easy and she can’t do it alone. 

Deep in the bowels of Goblin Valley, Darian, Tyler, and her small band of Shaede warriors fight their way through a dark labyrinth. In a realm where illusions rule, with danger at every turn, the odds are stacked against them. Time isn’t on their side, every second spent in Padma’s custody will be another step Xander takes toward madness. A kingdom can’t be ruled without its king and the wolves are at the door, waiting. If Darian can’t get to Xander before he succumbs to the illusions, an entire kingdom’s future is at stake

Shadows at Midnight is the FIFTH novel in the Shaede Assassin by Amanda Bonilla. If you haven't yet read this series, why not? I dare say that this series is one of the most underrated series that I have come to love dearly. I love the main character Darian. Darian is not only an assassin, but she is also the Guardian of the Faery Realm. Darian is cocky with reasons. She once had an almost perfect record of finishing missions without getting herself killed in the process. Darian is rather unique. She was made and abandoned by her former lover Azriel, who she has since had a reckoning with. Shaedes are supposed to be immortal. 

She lived a solo existence for nearly a century before finding out that she wasn't the last Shaede in existence. Shaede's are able to slip into darkness as easily as breathing. She has her own Jinn (Tyler) keeping her busy, loving her, protecting her with a powerful ring, and being rather obtuse at times by not fully explaining to Darian what he is, or how powerful he is. Still, I prefer him to other suitors namely Shaede King Xander. I know, I know, how dare you! I dare say that if you haven't read Against the Dawn, please stop. This series in connected in every way imaginable. Amanda loves her cliffhangers. Oh, my, God, does she ever!

When last we left Darian, she was targeted by the Rakshasa queen, Padma and taken deep into the he bowels of Goblin Valley or Hell if you like. Padma has a major score to settle with Darian. She wants her son’s (Azriel) killer to pay for what they did to him even though he clearly needed to be put down. The first chapters are a bit rough and dark. I won't hesitate to say that. Padma needs Darian to suffer for what she did to Azriel. Padma is a sadistic bitch who exploits dark emotions. But, Darian is also a lure for the biggest prize of them all; King Alexander (Xander) Peck.

I was totally unprepared for yet another emotional cliffhanger, yet it happened anyway. Leave it to Amanda Bonilla to tear my emotions into little bitty tiny pieces and laugh at my heart break. Words can only express how much I feel for Darian, and what she was put through in this book. Everyone seems to want to stand in the way of Darian and Tyler's happiness. Everyone has an agenda. Readers must acknowledge that not many things can stand in her way. Even though she was abused, and betrayed in previous novels, she hasn't entirely lost her desire to protect those who have become friends and family to her. 

I love her relationship with Raif Peck. He's a big man, with a large heart for Darian. Darian's relationship with Xander isn't high on my list of things I like, but I dare say that Xander did put himself and his sanity on the line for her when his own kingdom was being attacked. I love that Darian has her own team of Shaedes in Asher, Louella, Myles, Julian, and Liam. I especially love Asher. He's not only a badass, but Darian and he get along really well. I dare say that I am sitting on my hands waiting for word of when the next installment will be released. Amanda said that she will continue writing until Darian's final story write's itself. Sounds good to me.

**I received this book for free from AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

Amazon 

*Stacking the Shelves / Weekly Recap 09/18/2015*

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course eBooks!

Oh, Hi there! ::waves:: Welcome back!

Thanks for stopping by! This has been a veeerrrry interesting week.

Obviously, it was another Harper week so that should give you an

idea of my haul. Hope you also had a great week!

~Shelley~

The Week in Reviews:

Monday - Box Office Poison by Phillipa Bornikova (Urban Fantasy)

Tuesday - Jillian Cade (Fake) Paranormal Investigator (YA, Paranormal)

Queen of Always Book Blitz/Giveaway (Historical, YA)

Wednesday -  The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent (YA, Fantasy)

Thursday - Smoked by Mari Mancusi (YA, Fantasy)

Ward Against Disaster by Melanie Card (Fantasy) - Talk Supe Blog

Friday - Every Breath You Take by Chris Marie Green (Urban Fantasy)

Saturday - Shadows at Midnight by Amanda Bonilla (Urban Fantasy)

Scheduled for Next Week:

Monday - Firewalker by Josephine Angelini (YA, FANTASY)

Tuesday - The Dragon Conspiracy by Lisa Shearin (Urban Fantasy)

Wednesday - Landry Park by Bethany Hagen (YA, DYSTOPIAN)

Thursday - Sanctum by Sarah Fine (YA, Fantasy)

Friday - The Winter People by Rebekah L. Purdy (YA, Fantasy)

Saturday - Witches in Red by Barb Hendee (Fantasy)

Received via Edelweiss & NetGalley* 

     

     

Seven Black Diamonds

          

      

     

     

Borrowed from Library

     

#Review - Every Breath You Take by Chris Marie Green (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire # 3
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Roc
Source: Library 
Genre: Urban Fantasy

The author of the Vampire Babylon series and Only the Good Die Young presents another ghost story...

Ever wonder what happens after you die? Well, as a ghost, Jensen Murphy could tell you—and the truth is much stranger than anything you could imagine…

I never accomplished much when I was alive. As an average eighties California beach bum, I, Jensen Murphy, didn’t have any direction. But since I’ve joined Boo World, I’ve found a calling. Now, I’m a supernatural investigator, using my ghostly skills to spook confessions out of bad guys.

But being a paranormal PI is taking its toll. Spirits are hounding me for justice day and night, and, now, a ghost hunting TV show is digging up dirt on my unsavory demise that I’d rather keep buried. Worst of all, a seriously evil specter is making my afterlife hell by hurting the people and ghosts I care about. To stop him, I’ll need assistance from a higher power—only the price I’ll have to pay for that help could be my very soul.

Every Breath You Take is the final novel in the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire trilogy. 30-years ago, Jensen Murphy's bottomed out to the point where she didn't really care about anything or anyone. Then one night, a mysterious killer turned her life upside down even further. On that night, Jensen was never heard from again after partying in Elfin Forest. Her body was never found, her killer went undiscovered and unpunished, and the investigation closed without any results or leads. Three decades later, Amanda-Lee Minter, psychic and medium, arrived to pull Jensen out of her never ending time loop where she relived her own murder over and over again.

Amanda Lee promised Jensen that she would help find her killer, but first, she needed Jensen's help with a case that was personal. Even though they've had some trust issues and minor conflicts, Jensen and Amanda-Lee are now partners working to solve problems for the residents of what author Chris Marie Green calls Boo World. Team Ghost, as I am calling it, not only includes Jensen and Amanda-Lee, but Wendy, Twylla, Scott, Marg, Gavin, Fake Dean, and Louis to name a few. Jensen and Amanda-Lee are busier than a fox in a hen house these days. Every ghost wants their own murder solved which doesn't leave a whole lot of room for Jensen's own case.

The arrival of a Ghost Hunting team (JJ, Serra and 10) hoping to get more information about Jensen's disappearance, pushes Jensen's to the forefront, finally! This, my friends is what we've all been hoping for and waiting for. Finally we will get the truth about what really happened on the night of Jensen's murder. Finally CMG unveils the identity of not only Jensen's killer, but also puts the Jensen and Amanda-Lee's whole relationship to the test. We also get a resolution of who Fake Dean really is, and why he wants Jensen so badly. I dare say that I was floored and shocked by THAT revelation. 

I think that the trilogy was rather unique in that a ghost is the lead protagonist who goes around solving cases with her fellow friends/ghosts. I love that Jensen has a supporting cast which also includes several humans who can only see Jensen when she is around Fake Dean. I loved how Green really made the reader feel as though something bad was going to happen at any moment. I loved how well this series was wrapped up, even though I kind of wept a bit for one of the main characters. In some ways, it was the perfect ending. In other ways, it was a bit of a reality check to realize that this series is now over with.

I definitely recommend this series. I will challenge my fellow readers to start from the beginning with Only The Good Die Young. Although Green does a fairly respectable job at summarizing, I would say that if you miss the first two books, you will miss some important background information.  I challenge you to go to the library, or find a friend who has these books, and start reading! If you don't know Chris Marie Green, she is also the author of the Vampire Babylon series. 

Previous Books in Series:

     

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - Smoked by Mari Mancusi (Young Adult, Paranormal)

Series: Scorched # 3
Format: E-Galley, 384 pages
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

Once upon a time the world burned.
Until a girl and her dragon smothered the flame.
But the spark that ignited the apocalypse never went out.
And the Scorch is about to begin.

When Team Dragon rescues Emmy from the government lab, they think the future is finally safe. But they soon discover that Emmy has a secret--a secret so dangerous it could trigger the very apocalypse Connor and Caleb were sent back in time to prevent.

As a dragon hunter, Connor has committed his life to saving the world. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to complete his mission… even if it meant betraying his brother and losing Trinity’s heart. Even if it meant doing the unthinkable. But a desperate choice meant to prevent The Scorch, may become the spark that sets the world aflame once more.

Smoked is the final installment in the Scorched Trilogy. For Trinity Foxx and Team Dragon (which includes Connor & Caleb Jacks, the Potentials, and the Dracken), it has been six long months since Emberlyn (Emmy) was captured by government agents along with Scarlet and taken away to a place where nobody could find them. As if that weren't a challenge enough, Caleb Jacks lies in a coma after being stuck in the Nether, and nobody knows whether or not he will ever wake up. As the story kicks off, Team Dragon has located Emmy and Scarlet and breaks them out of a secret government bunker where both dragon and human were lab experiments.

Feeling good about saving Emmy and Scarlet, Team Dragon let's it's guard down a bit. Naturally, Mancusi tosses all that good feelings out the door when she reveals that Emmy has a major secret which may push the clock towards the Dragon Apocalypse they've tried hard to stop. There is a whole lot to say about this story, not all of it all good, nor all of it bad. I dare say that nearly every single character annoyed me in one way or the other.

But my main targets are Scarlet who makes the biggest blunders of all. Connor who lets his hatred of dragons tear him and Trinity's relationship apart and nearly causes a catastrophic event to unfold. I'll add Caleb to that list as well because his actions both in being stuck in the Nether, and getting involved with Emmy's secrets, causing a whole lot of pain and suffering to those he is supposed to care for. 

The Good: I loved that two new dragons are introduced in Zoe and Zavier, as well as 13 other Dragons who ally themselves with Team Dragon. I loved how amazing Zoe was, and how not unlike a child getting a look through fresh eyes sees things around her. I loved that she was actually trusting, and could see the good in people who wanted her dead. I loved how much Trinity really cared for Emmy, but was torn apart when she was ignored and didn't tell her what was really wrong with her. I found Trinity to be an amazing character who had the entire worlds fate put on her shoulder, but did what she could do save the world this time around, instead of destroying it. 

It's interesting that for each part of the story, Mancusi goes forward in time to 190 Post Scratch. I think that readers will finally get the answers they were searching for on why Conner was sent back in time to find Emmy and Trinity, and how much both brothers were manipulated. I think you will find that neither brother is truly bad, or good. They believed in what they were told, and in the end, they found themselves finding common ground to save Emmy, Trinity and the new world they now find themselves in.

I appreciated that Mancusi resolved the triangle issue. I think the pairings between Caleb/Scarlet and Trinity/Connor, were what was best for all four characters. Right from the beginning, the triangle was a mess until Caleb found common ground with Scarlet. I also appreciated that Mancusi didn't shy away from making the future aka Post Scratch look unpleasant to the mind. She created a world that was dark, dangerous, and filled with Dragons who destroyed the world. Although a bit predictable, I leave this series behind with no regrets about starting it.

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

Previous Installments:

   

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble 

#Review - 4 Stars! - The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent (Young Adult)

Series: The Stars Never Rise # 1
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

The Stars Never Rise begins a new series by author Rachel Vincent. The same author who wrote the Stray and Soul Screamers series. Everything that happens in this story originates back to the so called Day of Great Sorrow. It was the day when the number of stillbirths officially surpassed the number of live births. It was the day that people realized that the well of souls had run dry, which led to the discovery that demons lived among humans. After the supposed Great Purification, the Unified Church began strictly enforcing what the citizens could and could not do. 

The Church is the all powerful Wizard, telling the masses what is considered to be a sin while sending out exorcists to protect citizens against degenerates (demon infested humans who feast on blood). In this new reality, your entire life is controlled by the Church and there isn't anything you can do without their permission, including having children. Just ask New Temperance resident Nina Kane how life is treating her in this new reality. 16-year old Nina lives day by day doing what she needs to do to put food on the table for herself and her 15-year old sister Mellie, including bartering for food, and clean clothes to go to school with.

Nina and Mellie live under the same roof as her drug addled mother who hasn't spent any sort of quality time with them for any length of time which means that Nina does some things that may be considered risky or abhorrent. After being saved by a strange boy with piercing green eyes (Finn), and watching in embarrassment as her sister flees from her "reproductive assessment," Nina's world gets rocked even further when she discovers that she is different from everyone, including her sister Mellie by a now awaken and full cognizant "mother.". What's worse is that she is caught in the act by "exorcists" and is forced to flee without her now pregnant sister who she vowed to protect at all costs. 

Nina and her new friends Finn, Grayson, Devi, Reese, and Maddock, are now considered to be rogue exorcists who will be hunted by everyone. Everyone being the Church, their fellow humans, and the entire nation who has been told that they are demon possessed. Nina will eventually stand tall alongside her REAL exorcist friends in order to save Mellie, and get the hell out of dodge before they are burned at the stake by the Church. I have read where people have compared this first novel to Stacia Kane's Downside Ghost series.

I do find that there are correlations, especially when it comes to the all mighty Church who preaches that Willful ignorance and Deception is a sin. The real difference between the two series is that Downside Ghosts is about Ghosts, mostly, and The Stars Never Rise is about Demons and their intentions to rule the world. The Stars Never Rise is fast paced and action packed. There is a bit of a lull at the midway point of the story, but trust me folks, you want to ensure that you read this book right until the last page. If you stopped before they, you will miss the most entertaining parts!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Tuesday - Review-Except - Jillian Cade: (Fake) Paranormal Investigator by Jen Klein (YA-Paranormal)

Series: Unknown
Format: E-Galley, 288 pages
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: SoHo Teen
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Jillian Cade doesn’t believe in the paranormal. But her famous professor father does, and now that he’s gone, she decides to milk his reputation—and all the suckers who believe in the stuff—to open a private investigation firm. After all, a high school junior has to take care of herself, especially if she’s on her own.

Ironically, it’s when she takes on a case that might involve a totally non-paranormal missing person that things get strange. Particularly when Sky Ramsey—a new boy at school and an avid fan of her father’s—forces his way into becoming her partner and won’t shut up about succubi, of all things.


Before Jillian knows it, she finds herself navigating both her growing feelings for Sky and a sneaking suspicion that the poor saps she’s been scamming know something she doesn’t. Yet.

Jillian Cade: (Fake) Paranormal Investigator is apparently the first novel in what I hope is at least a trilogy. Having read both the Gallagher Girls and Veronica Mars, I can honestly say that this story swings more towards Veronica Mars. Not unlike Veronica, 17-year old Jillian Cade runs a business she calls Umbra Investigations. Let just put the facts on the table. Jillian is a brilliant learned con artist not unlike her own father. Have a nasty ghost haunting your house? Piece of cake! Place an ad, pay a retainer, and Jillian and her cousin Norbert will show up and get rid of your problem for you, pronto! 

What you should know about Jillian is that she doesn't believe in the paranormal world. Never has even though she lives with a so called expert on the subject, Lewis Cade, her father. Jillian takes on cases that involve the paranormal in order to bring in enough money to keep her alive, pay the bills, and so that she doesn't have to live with her with her Aunt and Uncle. Jillian also has a reputation in school as "the girl who shall not be fucked with." She has a hard exterior, a snarky attitude, and a carefree interior which leads to people keeping their distance. 

Jillian's father is totally out of the picture for the entire story traveling the world for reasons that allude both the reader and Jillian. Let's just say that he is searching for something, and leave it at that. Jillian's business model abruptly changes after a fellow student contacts her about her missing 21 year old boyfriend Todd Harmon, and the sudden arrival of the mysterious Sky Ramsey. Jillian will get a new outlook on life by being around Sky and finding a bit about her OWN existence from the most interesting of sources.

Let's talk about Sky for a moment. Sky is definitely an interesting character which you will learn more about by READING the book! He absolutely pushes himself into Jillian's business by refusing to go away. He honestly believes in the paranormal. He's a learned person in that he's read everything that Lewis has put out, and probably has watched his videos dozens of times. He could probably teach Jillian a thing or two if she would only open her mind to the realization that the paranormal does exist! The more Sky is around Jillian, the more the reader realizes that he is not wrong. Things like Succubus do exist and they are not something to mess around with! 

My recommendation: Borrow the book from someone, like the library, and read it! It has action, romance, danger, and some interesting revelations that need to be further explored! Even though there's no information on a sequel, I find it hard to grasp that the author would leave readers hanging off a CLIFFY without coming back and finishing what she started!    

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

After I got my class schedule, I went searching for my locker. I trudged up two flights of stairs, past hordes of other students who were all exchanging hugs and waves and big dumb OMGs about their stupid summers. I caught pieces of conversations as they floated by me. Apparently, most of my classmates had toured colleges or gone to the beach or been, like, totally bored. No one else had fake exterminated fake ghosts in fake haunted houses. Go figure.
I found my locker near the biology lab. Awesome: a year of smelling like formaldehyde. I dropped my backpack on the floor so I could dig the combination out of my jeans. Except the combination wasn’t in my right pocket. Or the left one. Or either of the back ones. Really? This? Already?
I was reaching down for my backpack—maybe I had shoved it in there after all—when I heard a voice from behind me.
“Six, thirty-nine, seventeen.”
I spun around. Standing in unacceptable violation of my personal space was a tall guy with messy blond hair, green eyes, and bright white teeth. Also, an inappropriate number of angles and muscles. For no apparent reason, my heart paused for a second, recovered, and kept beating…a little too quickly.
That was new.
The guy wore what looked like a military jacket covered with musician buttons and metal pins. He smiled down at me, brandishing a slip of paper between two of his fingers. My locker combination.
“It fell out of your pocket.”
“You shouldn’t be looking at my pockets,” I snapped, snatching the paper from him.
He was obviously brand new, gathering from the fact that he was (a) still smiling at me, (b) hot, but (c) not yet face-suctioned to Corabelle LaCaze or Angel Ortega. Those girls had game for miles, whereas I still didn’t even know the location of the stadium.
“I like pockets,” he said.
I could see what was going on. He was trying to assert his dominant place in the social hierarchy by messing with me. Or by flirting with me. Or by messing with me while flirting with me. Regardless, it was just what I didn’t need: a hot, deviant pickpocket on my ass (literally). I turned and concentrated on opening the lock. And trying to ignore him. But after two failed attempts at getting the combination right, I had to admit to myself that I couldn’t focus. He leaned against the adjoining locker, watching me…and apparently enjoying himself.
It made no sense whatsoever. It was high school, for crap’s sake. There had to be a cheerleader or two around that he could gawk at.
“Do you mind?” I asked.
“Not at all.”
I finally succeeded in yanking open the padlock. I slid the shackle out of the locker handle. “Ask around about me,” I said, avoiding his eyes. “If you’re looking for a new school romance, you’re barking up the wrong girl. I’m not the chick with a tough exterior concealing a wounded, golden heart, the one who’s aching for the right guy to notice her so he can crack her shell and sweep them both into the sunset. I might look like that
girl, but I’m not her.”
“Then which girl are you?”
“The one who wants to be left alone.” Even as I said it, there was that teeny-tiny part of me that knew it wasn’t true, but I forged ahead anyway. “I’m Jillian Cade, and chatting with me is not going to improve anything about your life, especially your social standing.”
My monologue did nothing in the way of discouraging him. In fact, it appeared to have the exact opposite effect. His green eyes widened. He straightened and suddenly got all formal, jutting out a hand toward my own. He was even closer now, close enough for me to get a whiff of minty toothpaste and boy shampoo.
“I’m Sky Ramsey, and if your father’s name is Lewis, then I beg to differ. Chatting with you has, in fact, improved my life. Significantly.”
Ah. There it was. He wasn’t talking to me. He was talking to the daughter of Lewis Cade.
I didn’t answer.
“You are the single pro next to a very long list of cons about moving here,” he added, dropping his hand when it was clear I wasn’t about to shake it.
There was no reason to be disappointed. Despite the fact that this guy—I mean Sky—was much prettier than the usual flock of Lewis Cade fanboys, that’s exactly what he was. Another brainwashed lemming looking to fling himself over the cliff of my father’s lies. God forbid a normal boy be into me, just once.
“You are a fan of fiction,” I informed him, “not a fan of me.”
Sky raised an eyebrow. “Fiction?”
I was great at promoting my father’s paranormal baloney when operating undercover, but I drew the line at real life. Fake Me ran my father’s fraudulent cases. Real Me called it like it was.
“Poorly written fiction,” I clarified.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” said Sky. “I’ve read everything your father has written—poorly or not—and the truth is that I would love to meet him.”
“You’re too late. He’s away on business.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“It might be permanent.” My voice hardened. “And even if he was here, I’ve got better things to do than arrange his playdates.”
Sky laughed. “Funny,” he said, which startled me. No one at school ever thought I was funny. Then again, I wasn’t exactly the class clown. He reached out to touch my arm. “Look, I didn’t ask to move to Van Nuys. Your name is the one familiar thing around here. I’m happy to meet you. That’s all.”
He gave my arm a gentle squeeze, and before I could think of anything to say in return, he sauntered away down the hall. I stared after him, wondering what had just happened. I turned back to my locker. I was about to toss my Muenster and pickle sandwich inside it when I realized it wasn’t empty. Leaning against the interior wall was a brown envelope.
What the hell?
I pulled out the envelope, ripped open the top edge, and upended it. A torn scrap of paper—maybe the size of my palm—fluttered out. I lifted it and scanned the printed text.
“What. The. Hell.”
This time I said it out loud. The thing I was holding made no sense. It had no reason to exist.
It was a piece of newspaper.
An obituary.
My obituary.

Amazon | Audible | Kobo