Book Review: One Breath Away - Heather Gudenkauf

One Breath Away - Heather Gudenkauf

In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom.  Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.

Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands.  Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again.  Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care.  And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.

As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.

3/5 stars (liked it)

I didn't like the characters in the story at the beginning or the book really but as I read more of it and got to know them I like it.  The story unfold from several perspectives, Officer Meg, Will a farmer and grandfather, Augie a middle schooler at the school, Everlyn a teacher close to retirement and Holly, a mother recovering from an accident in AZ.  Holly is the mother of Augie and PJ, both at the school and daughter to Will.  I was very surprised when it was revealed who the man was but once revealed it seemed like everything made sense as to why he was there.  There was also some side stories to other characters that were possible suspects.  Overall a great story.

Book Review: This Heart of Mine - C.C. Hunter

This Heart of Mine - C.C. Hunter

A new heart saved her life--but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless.  An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive.  However, this route only offers her a few years.  And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn't likely.  Living like you are dying isn't all it's cracked up to be.  But when a heart becomes available, she's given a second chance at life.  Except Leah discovers who the donor was--a boy from her school--and they're saying he killed himself.  Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realized she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself.  When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he's certain it means something.  While unraveling the secrets of his brother's final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose.  But life and even new hearts don't come with guarantees.  Who knew living took more courage than dying?

3/5 stars (liked it)

I saw a lot of Kylie in Leah and a lot of Lucas in Matt, characters from C.C. Hunter's Shadowfalls Series.  I liked the characters, even the secondary ones.  I thought it was a good mystery as to what really happened to Matt's twin and how he really died.  Also at the same time seeing Matt and Leah's relationship evolve.  It was a sad story but at the same time a romance and mystery all in one.