Kasey Giard

• Rated 5 stars

“Despite the comfort and security of her life and marriage of twenty years, Jessie suddenly realizes she's lost her sense of self. A family crisis prompts a return visit to her hometown and forces her to face again her father's death and her mother's inability to deal with the loss.

I fell in love with the complexity and honesty of the characters, Jessie especially. I love the way the story's layers - the mystery surrounding her father's death, her own process of rediscovery, the life of the islanders - are all woven together. This is one of my recent favorites.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“In this whole new take on the familiar story, Juliet and Romeo have been recruited to warring immortal groups. Her job is to find soul mates destined to love each other and assist them by coaxing their love into full bloom. Romeo's job is to destroy them.

As I read this book, I encountered unexpected twists and turns over and over again. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, the story got bigger. I liked that.

(Slight spoiler warning...) The ending was very redemptive. It was maybe a little bit too neatly wrapped up in my opinion, but I really liked the idea that each character found an opportunity for a second chance.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Wednesday, January 18, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Dr. Kai Chang has devoted her life to two causes: diagnosing the mysterious illness which caused her mother's death and reclaiming the sister lost to adoption by an American family. But when Kai finds the cause of her mother's death to be a terrible genetic disease, she realizes her sister is also at risk.

In contacting Lily's adoptive parents to warn them of the danger, Kai realizes more than the miles between her new home in Boston and the Powell's in Texas stands between them. In the midst of a violent Texas tornado, Kai tries desperately to reveal the secrets of the past - hers and Lily's.

I've read both of author Patti Lacy's other novels and enjoyed them. I knew on the first page that I wasn't going to be able to put this one down. Reclaiming Lily pulled me through one chapter after another, making me laugh with Lily's antics and get misty-eyed as Kai and Gloria, Lily's adoptive mother, struggled to redeem both past and present.

Fantastic read. I loved both other novels by Patti Lacy, but this is absolutely her best work to date.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Thursday, November 17, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The death of a childhood best friend and the echo of a pact made between them to be the skinniest girls in school haunts high school senior Lia Marrigan Overbrook. While her divorced parents battle each other on whose fault it is, Lia slips further and further into self-destruction.

This is a stunning, raw look at the effects of eating disorders - physical as well as mental and emotional - not only in Lia herself, but in the reactions of her family members, too. Brilliantly done. I read this from start to finish in less than 24 hours. Could not put it down.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Tuesday, September 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Sheila's safe and orderly world is turned upside down when she receives a phone call from the son she hasn't seen in twenty years. His return to her life opens the door to her past, a door she's kept shut and locked all these years and Sheila finds herself faced with the impossible choice: to help her son save his beloved or to protect the life and career she and her husband have built.

Rhythm of Secrets is filled with music from hymns to New Orleans jazz. Sheila's passion for it hovers between every line. I really enjoyed all the references to specific compositions and songs through the changing scenes of the story.

Author Patti Lacy again grapples with deep themes like racism and forgiveness with honesty and poise. I really like that she was inspired by a true story.

Great stuff!”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Saturday, February 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Rose, a woodcutter's daughter and apprentice to the healer of Hagenheim castle, is faced with unexpected feelings for Lord Hamlin. But he is the duke's son and betrothed to a young woman who hides from a powerful enemy. He will not rest until he destroys the evil that plagues his future wife. Rose resists the powerful feelings for the future duke, but can't seem to avoid his warm gaze and kind deeds.

Reminiscent of the tale of Sleeping Beauty, The Healer's Apprentice is a sweet story of love, honor and justice set in fourteenth century Germany. Beautifully told. Definitely worth a read.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Sunday, November 7, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The summer after her senior year, Skylar Hoyt is ready to start over. She's looking for someplace she can begin with a clean slate, someplace where no one will know about the bad choices she made, someplace like... Hawaii. Instead of the escape she dreamed of, the summer trip to stay with her grandparents uncovers more of Skylar's past. Phone calls from home pull on her heart, reminding her of all the things she'll miss if she stays on the island, but going home means facing events and people she badly wants left behind. Which is worse?

From beginning to end, So Over It details the internal and external struggles of a girl trying to figure it all out. Skylar is thoughtful, upbeat and quirky - the kind of friend every girl dreams of having. As any Skylar Hoyt series reader has come to expect, author Stephanie Morrill delivers prose and dialogue that's both witty and poignant. I devoured this story in one sitting. Fantastic read, and a great closing to the series. ”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Sunday, November 7, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“If My Chemical Romance ever wrote a novel about Greek gods in modern-day America, it would pretty much be The Lightning Thief. Percy Jackson is the quick-witted and sharp-tongued unlikely hero tasked with stopping an all-out war between the gods over the theft of Zeus's lightning bolt.

The story is fast-paced and very spunky, filled with myths and monsters. Fun read. I enjoyed it.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Tuesday, May 18, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I learned more from this book than from any other book on the craft of storytelling. Amazing!!”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Sunday, April 18, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Madeleine L'Engle tackles questions about the intersection of art and faith with poise and honesty. She discusses moments of faith in her own writing experience and in teaching workshops and courses on writing to others as well.

Her explanations and thoughts raised a lot of really great points and really helped me as a writer understand the relationship between my own beliefs and the beliefs conveyed in my work and the life art and story takes on its own. I think this is a must-read for any aspiring writer.”

Kasey Giard wrote this review Wednesday, March 10, 2010. ( reply | permalink )