The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

Book Review:
Wowzers! I honestly did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did!  I really enjoyed Harrington's Clarity series. So when I discovered she was working on this little beauty, I immediately put it on my TBR list! I'll be honest about something, I LOVE haunted house stories, and this one doesn't disappoint. The "creepy" factor begins shortly into the first few pages. Jade is a wonderful main character, trying to make the best out of a less-than-ideal situation. I honestly don't know what I would have done had I been placed in her situation. I love the mention of the gemstones, such a great touch. The supporting characters really make this story. Watching Jade interact with them were some of my favorite parts of the story. Oh, and the diary! While, the reader gets snippets of the Kayla's diary, I would have liked it in its entirety at the end of the book. Each entry was darker than the rest. Overall, a great mystery that I highly recommend!

Favorite Quote:
"When I was little, I'd loved ghost stories. And I'd been completely convinced that ghosts were real. But then I grew up and figured they were just part of legend - like vampires and werewolves. Haunted houses were just old, run-down places whose 'ghosts' could be experienced by drafty windows, loud pipes, or lying tenants looking for attention."

Cover Art Commentary:
This isn't my favorite cover. I'm not a fan of dead people on book covers. 

Rating:

Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

Book Review:
I really enjoy this series! I was hooked on the first book Clarity, and the followup Perception was just as enticing! :) I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I love the main character Clare. Her narration really make the books special. I also appreciate a book that emphasizes a close family. The connections between Clare and her mother and brother is exceptional. There are some new characters in this book, some that I enjoyed and others that I quite detested. There was an element, however, that knocked this book down from a five rating. There is a mysterious subplot running throughout the story that ends rather abruptly. I found it to be a little lackluster and disappointing. Otherwise, everything else in this book was rock solid. Really looking forward to the next book in the series!

Favorite Quote:

“Clare. Give me a reason to stay.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I really like the white background on the multicolored wooded backdrop. I am not a fan of the birds, but that probably stems from my fear of birds. :P

Rating:

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Book Summery (via goodreads):
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift. And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
Book Trailer:



Book Review:
Good things come in small packages. This book packs quite a punch in just 250 pages. It has a little bit of everything...physics, murder, mystery, and love. I loved Clare as the narrator. I related to her very well and thirsted to learn more about her, especially her relationships with Justin and Gabriel. ;) I adored the bond she had with her family. I could very easily picture her mother in her patchwork skirts, teasing Clare about stolen kisses and eye candy. Perry made for a wonderful character as well. The more I read about these characters, the more I wanted to keep reading. They were just as important, if not more so, than finding the killer...who I'll admit, I didn't see coming. I was very sure I had it figured out and was pleasantly surprised otherwise! I enjoyed the Cape Cod setting as well. Harrison writes with such vitality. I was able to vividly picture the sandy beaches and the colorful tourists. I really enjoyed reading Clarity and look forward to the sequel, Perception, coming out next year. For more information, check out Kim Harrington's website.

Favorite Quote:

"Yeah, I was Clarity Fern, tough psychic chic, member of the freak family. But if they stripped all those labels off, people might be shocked to find a normal girl beneath. Who doesn't want to spend her days on the defensive. Who wants what everyone else wants. To be loved." (p. 66).

Cover Art Commentary:
To me, this cover is pure, clean and simple. It's definitely understated as compared to the story it contains.

Overall Rating: