Mystery Reads

Missing: A Suspense-Filled Mystery for Young Readers by Makenzie Casseday

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When everything she knows is ripped away…

After coming to terms with the loss of her mother at a young age, Lola’s biggest struggle has been keeping the peace with a stepmother who doesn’t seem to get Lola for who she really is. Thankfully, Lola has her sister Bonnie (who she sometimes gets along with — that’s normal, right?), her best friend Sophia, and her doting father to support her while her love of the outdoors, flowers, and stars tend to ease her through.

Overall, Lola is a pretty ordinary girl living a fairly ordinary life, even with the occasional annoyance of being told to do something she doesn’t want to do. She goes to school. She does her chores. She does all the things that a normal kid her age would do, until everything is turned upside down! What does a girl do when everything she knows is ripped away? The people she counts on, the safety of her home, the truth that she’s always known, all suddenly torn from her grasp!

Makenzie R. Casseday’s debut novel is a suspense-filled adventure of loss and discovery for young readers. Robbery, abduction, lies, and even murder ensue as Lola sorts through the mystery of whom she can trust, makes peace with the truth of her past, and decides to move forward focusing on what is available to her now.

Targeted Age Group:: 12 and up

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I just had an idea of this character, Lola, and felt inspired to explore her story! I wasn't really sure I'd be able to write a book, but once I started, the story just came to me! I am currently 18 years old and I have always liked to write and create since I was little, but never attempted to write a novel before. It is opening new possibilities for me to explore having done it!

Britfield and the Lost Crown by C. R. Stewart

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Tom has spent the majority of his life locked behind the cruel walls of Weatherly Orphanage, but when he learns that his parents might actually be alive, Tom is determined to find them. Together, with his best friend Sarah and armed with only the word “Britfield” as a clue to Tom’s mysterious past, the two make a daring escape. Now, they are on the run from a famous Scotland Yard detective and what appears to be half of the police officers in England! The hunt is on, but will Tom & Sarah be able to evade capture long enough to solve an even bigger conspiracy that could tear apart the country?

Award-Winning Britfield & the Lost Crown by C.R. Stewart, is the first book in a thrilling seven-part series based on family, friendship, loyalty, and courage that is written for pre-teens, Y/A, and readers of all ages. Britfield and its heroes, Tom and Sarah, take readers on an epic adventure across England. With its stimulating language and stunning historical and geographical asides, Britfield engages the reader from the very first pages and doesn’t let go until it reaches its exciting conclusion!

“Such a thrilling book filled with so much awesome history about England, crazy mysteries, and truly amazing characters. It had me hooked every second of reading it! I can’t wait for the sequel.” – Hannah, 13, Kids’ Book Buzz – 5 Stars!

Targeted Age Group:: 9-12

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
It started as a sketch I did of a hot air balloon with a young boy and girl trapped inside. From this simple drawing sprang the entire concept and story for Britfield. I also liked the idea of adventure, exploration and freedom—seeing an extraordinary country for the first time: moving from place to place, enjoying spectacular scenery and exciting events, learning new things, meeting people, making friends and having hope for a better future. I like that not everything is what it seems. Not everyone is who you think they are: the simple often can become great, the great often turn out to be simple. Everyone has a unique story.

Trail of Secrets by Laura Wolfe

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Sometimes people vanish for a reason…

Spending three weeks of her summer at the Foxwoode Riding Academy in northern Michigan should have been one of the happiest times of sixteen-year-old Brynlei’s life. But from the moment Brynlei arrives at Foxwoode, she can’t shake the feeling she’s being watched. Then she hears the story of a girl who vanished on a trail ride four years earlier. While the other girls laugh over the story of the dead girl who haunts Foxwoode, Brynlei senses that the girl–or her ghost–may be lurking in the shadows.

Brynlei’s quest to reveal the truth interferes with her plan to keep her head down and win Foxwoode’s coveted Top Rider Award. To make things worse, someone discovers her search for answers and will go to any length to stop her. As Brynlei begins to unravel the facts surrounding the missing girl’s disappearance, she is faced with an impossible choice. Will she protect a valuable secret? Or save a life?

Targeted Age Group:: 12-18

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I always wanted to write a mystery that was set against the backdrop of a horseback riding academy/summer camp. I thought to myself, what if a girl went out on a trail ride and her horse came back without her? What if no one ever knew what really happened to her? I couldn't stop thinking about that scenario, so I knew I had to write a book about it!

Featured Book: Emerald Green by Lindsay Marie Miller

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About Emerald Green by Lindsay Marie Miller

Free for a Limited Time Only! (5/22/18-5/24/18)

On a chilly December night in Savannah, Georgia, seventeen-year-old Addie Smith dreams of an alluring young man, too mysteriously handsome to be real. When spring semester commences the following week, at Maple Creek High, a new student, named Tom Sutton, arrives, bearing a striking resemblance to the beautiful stranger from Addie’s dream.

Addie feels inextricably drawn to Tom, and his rare, unwavering resiliency, as the enchanting nature of first love takes hold. But when a cold-blooded criminal returns to Savannah, in pursuit of a long-forgotten possession, Addie must confront the darkest secrets of an elusive, hidden past that threaten to destroy her future.

This YA book is available in these Formats: eBook, Print

Buy Book Here.

Gift Guide: Melody Madson – May It Please the Court? by Jodie Toohey

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Targeted Age Group:: 10-16
Category: Children and Young Adult Books

About Melody Madson – May It Please the Court?:
Weeks pass before Melody finally gets her big break when senior partner at Lazlo, Marshdon and Brown assigns her first real case. Melody’s relationship with her best friend, Jewel, becomes strained as her friendship with another associate, Maggie, advances and she develops romantic feelings for her boss’ son, Eric. Her feelings for Eric deepen, her relationship with Jewel sours, the key medical record in her case is lost, and Melody feels her life is crumbling.

After working the entire weekend before trial, Melody finds the record, but before she can celebrate, the record thief catches her. Jewel attempts to free Melody but she is caught and the friends are tied to an office chair, driven out to the middle of nowhere, and left alone. Will they be able to save the case – or themselves?