Having never read any of Coben’s previous novels, I started Shelter in a state of objectiveness; after reading my way through the book, I found this lack of bias helped me get into the foreign headspace. Shelter is a very American book. That isn’t to say that there is anything wrong with the American culture but it is reflected very heavily in the setting, the characters, even the use of language. The setting, a basketball-obsessed town, is pretty typical of a lot of the media that comes out of the USA. Most of the characters are jocks, cheerleaders and a sprinkle of the usual alternative lifestyles, including a goth girl named Ema and a hyperactive computer expert named Spoon. And, to be honest, it took me a while to get into the swing of the storyline because of these all too familiar elements.

Once you get past the rather slow beginning, the plot starts to take some pretty radical turns and becomes something difficult to put down. Mickey Bolitar, a rather hardened high school student, with his father dead and mother in rehab, is startled when he receives a cryptic message that his father is still alive from the Bat Lady: a member of his neighbourhood who is more myth than reality. Around that time his girlfriend vanishes without a trace, leaving him in what would politely be called a state of confusion.

What follows is a pretty solid mystery story involving tattoo artists, strange symbols, confusing gravestone epitaphs, violent strip-club owners and a man nicknamed “The White Death”. There are some pretty strong undercurrents in Shelter that do more than just pull the plot along; the human condition is as much a part of this novel as the ‘boy tries to find girl’ aspect. The subject of white slavery comes up more than once, as do war atrocities and human rights abuse. Shelter may start a little slow but it builds momentum quickly. There is plenty to enjoy and the ending sets the scene perfectly for at least one sequel.

Shelter – Harlan Coben

Published Sept 6, 2011, by Putnam Juvenile

Hardcover, 288 pages

1. The whole thing all at once:
This means that you consume life with abandon, you are fun to be with, exciting, carefree, with some hint of recklessness. You are totally irresponisble. No one should trust you with their children or small, sharp objects.

2. One bite at a time:
You are lucky to be one of the 5.4 billion other people who eat their Oreos the same exact way. And, just like them, you lack imagination, but that’s okay, not to worry–you’re normal.

3. Slow and methodical nibbles, examining the results of each bite afterwards:
You follow the rules. You’re very tidy and orderly. You’re very meticulous in every detail with everything you do to the point of being anal retentive and downright irritating to others who are just enjoying life. So, leave us alone already–and stay out of the fast lane if you’re only going to go under the speed limit.

4. In ferverous nibbles:
Your boss likes you because you get your work done quickly. You always have a million things to do and never enough time to do them.  Valium and Ritalin would probably do you some good. Take two, they’re small.

5. Dunked in some liquid (milk, coffee, etc.):
Everyone likes you because you’re always upbeat. You like to sugar coat unpleasant experiences and rationalize bad situations into good ones. You end each day with a rousing rendition of “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!”

6. Twisted apart, the inside, then the cookie:
You have a highly curious nature. You take pleasure in breaking things apart to find out how they work. Though not always able to put them back together, you destroy all the evidence of your activities. You would make an excellent federal employee.

7. Twisted apart, the inside, and toss the cookie:
You are good at business and take risks that pay off. You take what you want and throw the rest away. Apply now for an upper management position!

8. Just the cookie, not the inside:
You enjoy pain.

9. Just lick them, not eat them:
Stay away from small furry animals and seek professional help–immediately!

10. No favorite way – you don’t like Oreos:
You are particular and fussy about the things you buy, own, and wear. Things have to be just right. You like to be pampered. Loosen up.

Lani Woodland has been an avid reader since elementary school when she first discovered the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins series. In sixth grade she began writing plays and recruiting (with force when necessary) her friends to act them out. Most of these early works were inspired by She-Ra, the epitome of girl power to her young self.

She graduated from BYU with a BS in Family Science. Lani has always loved scary stories, and has a hard time enjoying any book without at least a little romance in it. She lives in Southern California with her husband, their two children and a large collection of board games. She has worked as a spot-welder, babysitter, janitor, photographer, gymnastics coach, and movie extra. She enjoys bonfires at the beach, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, speed talking, chocolate as a cure-all, and the word “precisely”.

1.       Our reviewer, Krista, absolutely loved the first two instalments of your Yara Silva trilogy, mentioning that they’re becoming ‘darker and more intense’. For readers who are waiting to get their hands on a copy of Indelible (book 2), can you tell us a bit about Yara’s character development, and her relationship with Brent?

I’m so happy Krista liked them! Yay!  Yara is trying to avoid becoming like the women in her family. She doesn’t want to be a Waker (someone who can see and talk to ghosts). However in Intrinsical she learns she can’t run from who she is. In Indelible she has come to terms with being a Waker but she hasn’t really embraced it. She still longs to be normal. The series so far has been about her becoming okay with the hand she has been dealt. I think her relationship with Brent is fairly realistic (aside from the paranormal problems). Neither one of them are perfect. They are both growing into the people they are going to become and they are attempting to do that together.

2.      You’ve said that you enjoy beach bonfires and ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurants, among many others things. What’s your favourite setting to write in? Do you need quiet and solitude, or do you thrive in busy, populated environments, where you can people-watch (or even eavesdrop)?

I like to write alone in the quiet. I don’t have a laptop so I write at home in my living room. I love to write when the room is clean. If I had a laptop I have several places I would love to write. Down the street from my house is this beautiful fountain. I think that would be a great place to write. I have a family and it is hard to write with them around. Mainly because I can be working really well and it all screeches to a halt when my kids need help with something. I create best alone. When I am editing though I work well with my friend Melonie and my husband Evan. It is great bouncing ideas off them.

3.      The final book in the trilogy, Inevitable, has a tantalising name, perhaps hinting at destiny. Can you give us a teaser? How important are the themes of fate and destiny in your work and are these themes that you enjoy in other fiction?
The third book will be tying together all the loose threads I created in Indelible. I love reading about fate but I don’t think my books have fate in them. I feel like there are certain things Yara has to deal with because of who she is but she is free to choose whatever life she wants. Well, she will still have to deal with ghosts, but it is up to her whether or not she decides to help them.

4. Which of your fictional characters Burns Brightest in your mind and why?

I think Sophia burns the brightest. She was a very memorable character. I feel like she had a lot of hidden depth that was hidden behind a whole lot of anger. She was also my most ghostly ghost to date.

Lani Online:

Intrinsical book website.

Lani’s blog.

Lani’s website.

Twitter.

Connect on Facebook.

Hi All, just popping in with some news.

The book trailer (by R & D Studios) and Yunyu’s song will definitely be available as of next week. The trailer will be posted all around the place, however the song is only available to those with the book who can use the QRCode. We’re sorry for the delay but some unforseeable circumstances got in the way of it being ready on release day. It’s an amazing song though, and perfectly suited for book 2. WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

IMT there are some great giveaways still going on. The first is from Sassy Book Lovers who we love and have been very supportive of the books. This is open internationally so get in quick!

The second giveaway is on Facebook at Page Flipperz. Page says: Hi everyone and Welcome to my new facebook page!! To promote my new Facebook blog page Im having a giveaway!!! Pimp my page out and whoever you send out tell them to tell me who sent them. Comp will run for five days or once we hit 100 fans. I wll be randomly drawing a winner to win the first book from Author Marianne de Pierres BURN BRIGHT!!! INTERNATIONAL!!!

There’ll also be more giveaways next week on the Burn Bright FB page as well. So if you haven’t joined us, then don’t miss out on the chance to win some of Belinda’s wonderful handmade costume jewellery. You can view some it in the store.