Sandy's Spotlight
Book Reviews
The Hay Fort and Fated Memories
by
Judith Ann McDowell
Author: Judith Ann McDowell
Genre: Paranormal (Ghosts, Witches, Demons)
Length: Approximately 241 pages
The following is my June 28, 2012, 4 Star Review:
Boys will by boys.
In THE HAY FORT by JUDITH ANN McDOWELL, we are introduced to fourteen-year-old cousins, Willie and Butch. They've built a hay fort in an effort to have a place where no one can find them. In other words, they have a place where they can be boys and do the things that boys do, such as drink the occasional beer, without the prying eyes of adults.
In the distance, a very large old house is in view and being boys, they just can't help but to explore. Unfortunately for them, they are unaware of the rumors about this old house that have been circulating through the town and its inhabitants for many years. The boys come across some jars that look something like grandma used to use when she made jelly. They would soon find out that the contents of the jars holds something so frightening, so disturbing, that it would put their lives in danger from a source so dark, so scary, so menacing that they would be forced to grow up much sooner than they should.
I'm all about paranormal books, especially when the paranormal aspect is ghosts and demons. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was entertained throughout. While looking at the tags for this book, I see "Young Adult". I would not hesitate to have my sixteen-year-old granddaughter read this book, but if you are purchasing this book for someone younger than sixteen, you may want to read it first. There is some subject matter that is very adult in content and you may feel it is too adult for anyone younger than sixteen. In my opinion, anyone sixteen or older would enjoy this book a lot. I had a difficult time putting it down. When I did have to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to it.
When teens Willie and Butch Coby stumble on some filled jars in an old abandoned bus they have no idea what they are inviting by taking the jars away. Not until their biology teacher checks out what the jars contain do they begin to realize some adventures can cost you your life or worse turn that life into a living nightmare.
Let all who know the name of the beast... Give up his name for he will not hold back his wrath against a child of the most holy.
*****
Book: Fated Memories
Author: Judith Ann McDowell
Genre: Literary Fiction (women's and historical/western)
Length: Approximately 311 pages
The following is my June 10, 2011 5 Star Review:
This book will take your breath away. Literally. I found myself holding my breath throughout the book and audibly gasping from time to time. It was beautifully written. On rare occasions, an author can create a character that makes you feel like hugging them to make it all better and kicking their butt all at the same time. THIS IS A MUST READ, but be prepared for a gut wrenching look at the lives of these characters.
BARNES AND NOBLE PURCHASE LINK
Jessie Thornton, the beautiful, only child of Eathen Thornton, one of the richest most powerful men in the state of Montana has never heard the word "no" until she sets her sights on Two Spirits, a young Blackfeet Indian her father has hired onto the ranch to tame the wild mustangs brought down out of the hills.
In her struggle to be with the man she loves, Jessie soon finds herself fightng an uphill battle against 1903 Montana morals and small-town bigotry.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Author Website
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page