Fatal Voyage -- Kathy Reichs

When a plane crashes in the mountains near North Carolina, Temperance Brennan is called in as part of the DMORT team which is tasked with recovering the bodies, the wreckage, and piecing together the last moments of the flight to determine the cause of the disaster. With body parts strewn over several miles, it does not seem odd when Temperance -- along with the help of some coyotes, finds a severed foot quite a distance from the center of the search.

But that foot throws kinks into many aspects of the investigation and makes someone nervous enough that Temperance is slandered publicly and removed from her involvement with the crash investigation.

Determined to clear her good name, Temperance does not give up. But the more she digs, the more disturbing things start rising to the surface. Some of her associates are even killed; and Temperance is next on the list.


**Once the story got going, it was a decent read. However, it takes so long to get into the story (for me at least) that I become disillusioned with the whole thing and just can't wait to be done with the book, thereby diminishing my enjoyment of the story.

Heaven is Here -- Stephanie Nielson

Stephanie Nielson had her perfect life: a handsome, loving husband; a beautiful home in Arizona; a supportive family; 4 beautiful children; a popular blog...

Then, on August 16, 2008, Stephanie, her husband, and a friend were in a terrible plane crash. Stephanie was burned over 80% of her body. The miracle was that she lived. Even though, at times, she wished she hadn't. No longer able to be the mother she longed to be -- and the mother she was before, Stephanie was crushed by her inability to do anything. Her children were cared for by her sisters while she and her husband Christian healed in hospitals a state away. Devastated by all she had lost, Stephanie felt incredible guilt for what she had done to her family.

Until a peace settled over her late one night. And she realized what a blessing it was to still be alive. Though she knew it would be hard, Stephanie determined then that she would conquer this trial. That she would, once again, be the mother her children deserved. That she would hope and dream and press on. And with her determined efforts, Stephanie does just that. Along the way she realizes that she is not her body, and that life is a gift.


***I'll admit, initially I was pretty sick of all the sugary-sweetness of her "perfect" life. It seemed a little "too perfect." But as I read on and read the experiences and strength and determination of Stephanie Nielson, I couldn't help but imagine how I would respond, had it been me. My heart broke for her when she told of initially seeing her children for the first time after her accident as I imagined how that would feel for me. And so, for me, the book improved vastly and I really enjoyed it and appreciate the strength of a woman whose trials have far outweighed mine. She is an example to me of how we can CHOOSE to be happy and choose to go forward, in spite of hardships. She is an example of great faith.

If I Stay - Gayle Forman

On a snow-dusted morning, Mia and her family pile into the family car and head to visit relatives. But they never arrive there. Instead, Mia sees the horrors of a car accident that left her parents dead and her younger brother Teddy in a hospital. Mia can't believe she wasn't harmed in the accident that killed her parents... Until she finds her own body and realizes she was. And she is seeing everything from outside herself.

While in the hospital, Mia comes to realizes she is still here because she gets to choose if she stays. And so Mia spends the following 24 hours remembering, pondering, and deciding. Does she stay with the friends, boyfriend, and hopes of the future (Julliard, graduation, possibly marriage one day)? Or does she let go and join her family, for before long, she learns she's even lost her little brother.

Only Mia can choose. And the choice is not an easy one.


***So this was a quick read. I just didn't like it. I didn't care for a lot of the behaviors condoned in the novel and felt irritated by a lot of it. I don't plan on reading the sequel.