Book Review - Steena Holmes' Stillwater Rising

If you follow my book reviews and blog, you probably already know that I participated in the Booksparks Summer Reading Challenge. In exchange for reviews, I received advanced copies of several books during the summer. Booksparks also did a Fall Reading Challenge, but due to my heavy school schedule, I had to decline participating. However, I did join in for one book, the latest from Steena Holmes, Stillwater Rising.

Honestly, I'd never heard of Steena Holmes, but Booksparks was so excited over Stillwater Rising, that I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Stillwater Rising is Holmes' second book in her Stillwater series, which revolves around the citizens of a lakeside resort town.

The second book finds the citizens of Stillwater attempting to patch their lives back together, after a teenage gunman has killed several children and teachers at the local elementary school. The story is told through the eyes of a mother who lost her son, the mayor (who is also the wife of the elementary school principal) and a female reporter who although liked, is not a resident of Stillwater. The mother of the shooter still lives in town and Stillwater is divided as to whether they should run her out or treat her with compassion. Everyone is experiencing grief in their own way and it is ripping apart this once tight knit community.

It was fairly easy to follow the plot without having read the first book in the series, however, I urge you not to do this. This series is very much about the characters and their development. You will short change yourself if you skip the first book. I plan on going back and reading the first in the series. Holmes' ended the second book with a chapter for the third, which is a huge tease for what is coming next in the series.

What I really enjoyed about Stillwater Rising is the way that Holmes managed to write a story filled with genuine emotions and human drama without resorting to gratuitous violence or nastiness. There is a sweetness to her story without coming across as false. The characters have honest faults, but at the end of the day, it seems that the inherent good in people is what triumphs. In the midst of such a tragic circumstance, this is a feel good story.

As a selling point for Steena Holmes, when I was in the middle of Stillwater Rising, I noticed that another one of her novels was on sale through Amazon and I went ahead and bought it. It didn't take me a whole book to know that I like her style and that I'm eager to read her other stories.

On another note of personal interest, my husband and I recently bought a vacation home in a lake resort much like Stillwater. In Stillwater Rising, Holmes writes a lot about the distinction between those who live there full time and those that come for a season. This rang very true. As much as we want to insert ourselves into our new community, not living there full time always makes us feel like outsiders. I totally get the dynamic that Holmes writes about in her story.

Stillwater Rising is a very compelling drama that I highly recommend.

Here are some of the promotional pictures that Booksparks to sent to me. Reach out to them if you're interesting in reviewing their books. In addition to free books, they run tons of fun contests.

And here is a pretty press-picture of author Steena Holmes.

Booksparks 2014 Summer Reading Challenge - Katie Delahanty's In Bloom

Olivia Bloom has just graduated from college and has moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry. She lands her dream job of working for a lingerie company, but quickly her career aspirations are pushed to the background as her social life explodes when she begins dating mega-rock star, Berkley Dalton. Olivia is immediately thrust into the limelight as the mysterious figure showing up on a celebrity's arm to high profile events. She quickly learns that dating a celebrity can be both exciting and tumultuous.

Katie Delahanty's debut novel, In Bloom, reminded me of The Princess Diaries or Pretty Woman. It features a strong, likable female lead who is suddenly thrown into a world that is lavish and exciting, so different from her normal life. The fun of In Bloom is following Olivia as she attends amazing parties, social galas and is treated to amazing dates. It's a glimpse into a rich life that so few get to experience. It often feels like an episode of The Bachelor and really, who wouldn't want to go on an amazing date?

Olivia is a ordinary woman who manages to catch the attention of a dream guy. The story is very much a fairytale. I can't imagine a female reader not falling in love with Berkley Dalton. He's utterly charming and romantic.

The story is filled with Hollywood scandal and tricks of a sneaky publicist, which made me think that Delahanty must have had some real life insight with regards to the entertainment industry. Either way, I loved the cattiness of the story and the trouble that it gave to our heroine, Olivia.

I always enjoy stories set in my hometown and In Bloom is filled with familiar locals and businesses. I read the story while on vacation in Europe and it made me homesick! I got a big kick out the mention of singer/actress, Samantha Shelton, who is a friend of mine from High School.

In Bloom is the perfect summer beach read. Delahanty writes a fast-paced page-turner and I look forward to reading her next novel.

Booksparks 2014 Summer Reading Challenge - Emily Kiebel's Serenade

Lorelei is a freshman vocal student at a prestigious music college in Maine, when tragedy strikes. While her father is visiting her for the weekend, he is struck and killed by a car. As he is dying, Lorelei has an overwhelming urge to serenade him and she sings to him as the ambulances are arriving. Lorelei's mother has never been supportive of her decision to pursue music and with the family in mourning, she forbids Lorelei to return to school. Lorelei disobeys her mother and sneaks off to return to Maine, only to discover that she cannot concentrate on her classes. She receives a letter from a mysterious Great Aunt, who lives on Cape Cod, with an offer for Lorelei to visit indefinitely. Curious about her aunt and unable to cope with school, Lorelei takes off to meet the family that she has never known.

Without giving away any major plot twists, Emily Kiebel's Serenade is The Little Mermaid meets Final Destination. It's a strange mix that actually works. Keibel writes high energy action scenes and her book has a cinematic quality. It's often exciting and her writing makes it very clear to visualize. Plotting and action are Kiebel's strengths.

That said, Serenade was not my cup of tea.

I felt very disconnected from Lorelei at the start of the novel and I never got beyond that feeling. I often gravitate towards stories with grieving characters and I usually find them to be cathartic. However, Lorelei's grief did not mirror my own experiences and I just couldn't relate to her. She was whiny and entitled. Although her mother's coldness is explained, it rings false. I wanted a resolution between the mother and daughter. I wanted her icy exterior melted a bit. The characters often felt one-dimensional. This was especially true later in the story with the romance between Lorelei and Tyler. I just didn't buy into it.

Serenade is set to be the first in a series of books and that means that there isn't a total resolution at the end. The ending is rushed with a lot of explanations regarding supernatural elements in the world. Again, a set up for the coming book.The number of lose ends seemed more like a second book in a series, the book that is written in response to the overwhelming popularity of the first novel. Unfortunately, I was not left wanting more.

Like I said, this was not my cup of tea. I think this could appeal to YA audiences or people who like stories with fantasy elements. The story has a lot of creativity. I liked elements of Kiebel's writing, but overall, I didn't feel like the story gelled.