The Contemps: mysteries

Today's spotlight is also a debut!

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

blurb and cover image from goodreads

Praise for Breaking Beautiful (via author website):

"Emotional, wrenching, and hopeful, BREAKING BEAUTIFUL is a perfectly blended coming of age and murder mystery."--Kari Olson, A Good Addiction

“A mystery, a tragedy, a love story—Jennifer Shaw Wolf draws you in and keeps you guessing until the very last page.”—Holly Cupala, author of Tell Me a Secret and Don’t Breathe a Word

"A fast-paced, heart-pounding mystery. I can't wait to see what this debut novelist does next." —Kirby Larson, Newbery Award Winning author of Hattie Big Sky

Early reader reviews are buzzing!

"Breaking Beautiful was an amazing debut novel and Jennifer Shaw Wolf is definitely an author I look forward to reading again." ~ Turning the Pages

"It isn't often that I am brought to tears while reading, but the level of honest emotion that this book evokes was beautiful and breathtaking. A fantastic Young Adult Read." ~ E + K Family Book Reviews

"An emotional, heartbreaking story. I recommend Breaking Beautiful as a must read." ~ I Heart YA Books

"The air of mystery, the creepiness, the plot, the characters, they were all great. I just loved so much about this story that it really is hard to put my finger on any one thing." ~ My Guilty Obsession

"I wanted to jump inside the book and give this girl a hug! A fabulous debut novel. I loved everything about it!" ~ I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read

Also worth reading:

The Story Behind the Story ~ Jennifer Shaw Wolf's guest post at YA Book Reads

Breaking Beautiful releases today from Walker Books for Young Readers. Request it at your local library and/or purchase from your bookseller of choice. And please give Jennifer a big DEBUT CONGRATS on Twitter!

Happy Reading!
~Lydia

I'm so excited to be spotlighting GIRL, STOLEN, by fellow Contemp April Henry! I'm a huge fan of dark thrillers, so this book is right up my alley, and waking up to find it waiting for me on my Kindle was like five birthdays wrapped up in one!

Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is asleep in the back of her mom's car when it's stolen from the pharmacy parking lot. Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia—she's also blind. Griffin, the teenager who was stealing packages out of parked cars, hadn't meant to kidnap her; he just impulsively stole the car with her in it. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of Nike, everything changes-now there's a reason to keep her. Will Cheyenne be able to survive this harrowing ordeal and escape? And if so, at what price?

Henry tells her story in alternating points of view, so that we get to know both Cheyenne and her abductor. I was surprised at how quickly I found myself sympathizing with Griffin, even as I was rooting for Cheyenne to escape her captors. The story is tight and fast-paced, like the best Hollywood action movie, making for a compulsive read. Need more proof that GIRL, STOLEN, makes for good film? Here's a look at the book's trailer:

Creepy, right? Love it!

Kirkus Reviews called the book, "constantly interesting and suspenseful," and I concur one hundred percent. Check it out today!

Can't wait for your GIRL, STOLEN fix? Read an excerpt on April's website, which also features fun tidbits such as an FAQ section detailing the real-life inspirations behind some of her most chilling thrillers. As a writer, I'm way impressed by the research April does for her books.

The days are getting shorter - and early evenings are perfect for curling up with some fast-paced suspense, don't you think? I read this book in one day, and I'm betting you will, too! Let us know what you think of the book - and what other mysteries are currently on your to-be-read list!