Seth Grahame-Smith. ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER

I begrudgingly picked this one up, after it was selected by the students in my book club. I was pleasantly surprised. It's a unique combination of horror and historical fiction. I felt like I was reading an accurate account of Lincoln's life. The vampire hunting just made Lincoln all the more interesting!

The librarian in me compelled me to continually research all the interesting little facts to make sure they were accurate! The ending was definitely memorable. That's about all I need to say about this one. I liked it. If you like horror and/or history, you'll like it too.

I decided to leave you with the movie trailer, rather than the book trailer, because it's just more exciting. Enjoy!

Terri Clark. SLEEPLESS

Trinity has an unusual talent. She “dreamwalks.” In other words, she is lucid in her dreams, which means she can control them, but she can’t control the people she encounters and the disturbing things she learns about them. It’s a talent she’d rather not have, especially after the most recent, tragic incident where she witnesses a girl in mortal danger. She called the authorities, but they got there too late to save her. Trinity has felt guilty about it ever since. Now the murderer is visiting her in her dreams and threatens her life. After finding out that the murderer has escaped from the mental hospital, she freaks. She teams up with an unlikely partner to find the murderer before he finds her.
It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a psychological thriller. As an added bonus, it’s love story too. I had a ton of fun getting to know Trinity. She’s an intriguing character. I’ve heard there may be a sequel. I’m all for it, since there is so much more story here.
The writing is awesome; the book really flowed nicely. It has a perfect combination of humor, thriller, coming of age, and love. (Warning: it will keep you up at night! Oh and you may be compelled to get a dreamcatcher after reading)

By the way, I’ve had the pleasure of encountering Terri Clark in her day job, and she’s marvelous. I hope she still has time to write a sequel!

Here’s her website to read more about the her.

Lauren Myracle. BLISS

Wow! What a great departure from what Lauren Myracle typically writes (well except for RHYMES WITH WITCHES - I knew that name Lurlene was familiar!).But for the most part I think people associate Myracle's name with her wonderful tween books (Eleven, Twelve etc.) or the TTYL series.
This is quite different from those. It's creepy, chilling, and has the coolest opening line. "Grandmother won't tolerate occultism..." OK, but tell me what grandmother would! That cracked me up. But it was a great way to set you up for the time period of this novel, which is 1969, because she's actually referring to Bewitched - the TV show.
The main character Bliss has been dropped off at her grandmother's house because her hippie parents have had some trouble carting around a teenager in the midst of protesting the war and fleeing to Canada. So, Bliss has been deposited at her grandmother's house for a safer, cleaner environment. Her grandmother enrolls her in a private prep school called Crestview. It's an old school, and Bliss finds out the scary way that a girl killed herself in one of the creepy old buildings. She hears her voice calling to her. The voice implores her to come to her and tells her she is the key. The key to what? Bliss wonders. Bliss tries her best to ignore the creepiness of the new school by forming a few friendships and going about her life. But one girl will not let her and tries to involve Bliss in some really creepy activities.
This book is a delicious blend of late 60's prim, prep school and creepy, bloody ghost story. Plus, who would've predicted that both Andy Griffith and Charles Manson would ever be in the same book! You'll have to read it to find out what I mean. Really, I can't say much more without giving away the juicy parts.
Definitely a fun, entertaining, yet slightly disturbing book worth your time!

Check out Lauren's website here and her blog here