DARK EYES

by William Richter   (LWH)

Fabulous book, great story, fast paced, a few twists and something a little different for a YA fiction.

Wally was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a young girl by a wealthy American family however during her teenage years she rebels and we find her living on the streets after a fall out with her mother.

Wally has so many questions about her real mother and father and the reason she was living in an orphanage. When she is unexpectantly handed a parcel which contains some of her Russian mother's personal items and a letter for Wally, she sets out to find her mother if she is still alive.

When one of her friends is murdered mysteriously, her life becomes very complicated. Her Russian father, Klesko, starts following her and her friends and soon they become hunted by this trained killer, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Great story that will keep you guessing right to the end.

THE MEMORY CAGE

THE MEMORY CAGE   by Ruth Eastham   (LWH)

This is a very powerful and emotional story dealing with war, Alzheimer’s and family secrets. It is beautifully written and the compassion Alex shows for his Grandfather is beautiful. The story tells of Alex who was adopted at the age of 6 from a refugee camp in Bosnia and is now a teenager. His parents and younger brother are all dead and he is haunted by memories of not being able to save his younger brother from drowning. He is adopted into the Smith family, lives in Doverham, England and adores his adopted Grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is about to be put into a home.

He is desperate to help his Grandfather to remember the past so he doesn’t have to be put in an aged home, but as Alex delves into the past and tries to create a scrapbook of his life, secrets are discovered that have been hidden away for many years. With the town losing so many of their young men in the war some people don’t want the past dug up. Remembering the past is not want Alex wants for himself either as it is too hurtful and he tries to cut all memories of Bosnia from his life. The story concludes with a dramatic incident that had me in tears. Secrets are revealed and lies uncovered to culminate in a truly wonderful ending.

About the author:  Ruth Eastham was born in Lancashire, England, and trained as a teacher. She has worked in more than a dozen schools in UK, NZ, Australia and Italy. She likes photography, secondhand books and world maps.. This was Ruth’s first novel but I’m sure not her last. She likes to write anytime and everywhere! She likes to catch a new idea before I forget it so she always keep a notebook handy, or she writes up my arm if there's no paper about.