Demon Hunting in the Deep South

It was news to me, but apparently, there is a small town in Alabama (named Hannah)  that is rife with demons and half human/half demon hybrids.  Really---would I make this up? Lexi George's new novel, Demon Hunting in the Deep South is a great paranormal romance romp!  Evie Douglass is the star of this series, of which this book is the second.  Evie is thrust into the mystery-solving business when her childhood nemesis Meredith (aka, the "Death Star") is brutally murdered and she turns out to be the police's number one suspect.  Meredith and her cronies have tormented Evie her entire life and, unfortunately, Meredith is not much nicer as a ghost!  Her best friend, Addy, owner of Hannah's popular florist shop,  is blissfully in love with gorgeous demon hunter Brand, who has an equally gorgeous brother named Ansgar.  Evie is wary of anyone who thinks her plus-size self is beautiful, but this does not deter Ansgar from his pursuit of her.  Evie is troubled by fuzzy recollections of past events---is Ansgar and her friends keeping things hidden abour her past?  Ansgar, Evie, Addy and Brand all team up to figure out who Meredith's killer is and clear Evie's name--while they all fight the demons and demonoids running wild in Hannah, Alabama.  I read this book without realizing I should have started with the first one Demon Hunting in Dixie.  I wasn't too confused, but the plot in the second book does build on a few things that occurred in the first book so I think that they should probably be read in order.  This book is a hilarious, typically southern, bawdy ride and is a great choice for anyone in the mood for a funny romance with a touch of supernatural thrills.  Visit Lexi George at www.LexiGeorge.com!

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

Joshilyn Jackson has written another wonderful mother/ daughter drama in her new novel, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.  The author of Gods in Alabama, the novel is both bittersweet and elegant as it explores the life of "Big," who had her daughter Liza when she was fifteen and Mosey, her granddaughter, who Liza had when she was fifteen.  They all live in a small town and are looked down upon because of their young births, and Big works hard to make a life for all of them.  Liza is a flirtatious play girl until she suddenly has a stroke and Big is forced to care for her as well as Mosey.  The book is a tense mystery, when a baby's bones are dug up from under the willow tree and the whole town begins guessing whose baby it was.  Mosey and her friends decide themselves to try to solve the mystery so they can figure out who their family members really are.  The book is told in alternate chapters by Mosey, Liza and Big and this makes an interesting read.  The challenging part is that Liza is unable to speak, so she is stuck trying to figure out how to communicate what she knows, to her mom and daughter.  It's a fascinating story and an example of great writing!  If you love Jodi Picoult, try also reading Joshilyn Jackson--you won't be disappointed!