Devil in Disguise – Heather Huffman

Source:  I received a copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own

Genre: Adult, Suspense

Danger, Romance, Suspense and a heavy dose of realism, is what you have mixed together in this book. Rachel Cooper is a reporter. She’s not just your everyday reporter. She thrives on getting the bad guys.  Now she is not only after the bad guys but has a personal stake in all of it.  Rachel receives a call from her mother.  Her sister is missing.  She calls the first person she can think of, Conrad.  She and Conrad

had a previous relationship. Had, because Rachel kept relationships at arms length. Conrad is the one person she knows she can rely on to help her get her sister back.  Getting her sister back isn’t enough.  When she learns her sister is a victim of human trafficking, she wants to do everything she can to shut these types of people down for good.  That means putting everyone in danger.  The danger doesn’t end when she finally gets her sister back.  I won’t say more because this is a book you really need to read.

The scary thing is that this really does happen.  I remember calling a parent because one of my students came to me concerned about a friend of theirs who was talking with an older man in a chat room.  Young girls are often so naïve.  This girl really didn’t see where there was any danger.  Her parents were unaware she was chatting online with anyone.  I always knew what my children were doing online.  I told them if they didn’t want me to see what they were doing then they needed to stay off.  Parents need to protect their kids from these types of predators. We can’t turn a blind eye and say that these things only happen in other countries.  These things happen right here in our own country and it is time we wake up to that fact. The author has done a wonderful job of bringing this to the reader’s attention.  This is a book that parents should read.

Across the Tumen - Moon Young-sook

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Source:  I won a copy

Across the Tumen is one of those stories you start reading and can't put it down until you finish it. This is a fictionalized account of one North Korean boy's escape across the Tumen River into China.  Although this is a fictional account the author has made it clear that this continues on today.  Most of my students here in America have no idea how wonderful their life is. They have no idea how the children of other countries suffer.  Through Yeong-dae's story we watch a family torn apart by starvation. We see the depths members will go to for each other and the price it will cost them. Most importantly we see what lengths someone is will to go to, the dangers they are willing to accept when they realize their country has lied to them.  If you are a teacher wanting to get across the point of propaganda and its effect on a people, then this is definitely the book to read.  This book will make you sick to your stomach, make you cringe, definitely make you cry both tears of sadness and joy. But most importantly this book will make you feel lucky you live in America.  It will make you wonder what you can do for others out there.  After all, isn't that what a great book does? It makes you feel.  I definitely recommend this book to everyone young and old.

Want to know more or see some pictures of places mentioned in the book?  I recommend this website here.

Caught - Deirdre Thurston

Source: I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Genre: Adult, Short Stories

Alert:  The book is full of the use of the F-word and talks a lot about sex.

From Goodreads:
Caught is a collection of short stories, literary sketches and vignettes---each capturing a moment in the life of someone a lot like you. Each story delves into human themes: expectation, desire, hope, loss, fear, joy, peace, suffering, redemption. The narrative is filled with subtle irony, humour and touching observations. The stories highlight our era of increasing social disconnection, in which technology is replacing intimacy and life occurs at a pace that challenges people’s ability to stop, observe and interpret their own existence and its relationship with those around them. It highlights the everyday moment and provides nourishment for the harried soul.

The overriding message in Caught is that any moment in every life can be viewed as worthy of treasuring. Whether that moment is filled with despair or joy, they provide entertaining relief and nourishing benefits.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed most of the stories in this book.  We get a glimpse into pieces of lives that often mirror our own. We read the story of a lady who sits next to an elderly couple in the theater only to spend less time watching the movie and more time glancing at the woman and remembering her own Nana.
We have the story of a woman who discovers her husband didn't marry her for love but because he wanted to "be" her. As a woman of faith she finds a solution, even if it is one I would not condone.
As much as I enjoy short stories, the use of the f-word and reference to sex throughout most of the stories meant I didn't enjoy the as much. It also meant that it was a book that I would have trouble recommending to a lot of my friends.  If you like short stories that will evoke memories from your own life, and if you can get past the language and references to sex then you might enjoy this book.