The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielson

This is the second book in the Ascendance Trilogy.

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

This was a good follow-up to the first book. At times it was a little slow, not a lot of action, but I still enjoyed it. Jaron was a character that I did not like in the first book and that I have come to like in this one. There are a lot of similar books that I enjoyed much more, such as one of my all-time favorites- The Ranger's Apprentice, but there are other books that are far worse. Worth reading.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Rising sixth grader Miss Moses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone's business is fair game and no secret is sacred. She washed ashore in a hurricane eleven years ago, and she's been making waves ever since. Although Mo hopes someday to find her "upstream mother," she's found a home with the Colonel--a café owner with a forgotten past of his own--and Miss Lana, the fabulous café hostess. She will protect those she loves with every bit of her strong will and tough attitude. So when a lawman comes to town asking about a murder, Mo and her best friend, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, set out to uncover the truth in hopes of saving the only family Mo has ever known.

 

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the unusual characters and the small town atmosphere. Mo had spunk and strength and I always like to see that in my female characters! Interesting twist with the murder mystery, but the best part for me were all the complicated, but loving relationships.