(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Although Dora's divorce isn't quite finalized, the two pretend to be married (this being 1935 and all) and throw themselves into getting settled in. Since Frank's genetics make him a part of Whitbrow, the couple's welcomed in town with less suspicion than the average strangers would receive. The townspeople seem nice, if more than a little quirky, and Frank and Dora soon feel at home in Whitbrow. Which doesn't mean they understand all the strange local customs, especially the one where pigs - prime pork the poor folks in town could surely be eating instead of wasting - are sent into the forest as a kind of sacrifice. Although Frank and Dora question the whys behind this primitive tradition, no one will give them a straight answer. Something, they say, is in the woods. Something that requires payment in order to stay away.

Unconvinced of any danger and determined to find answers to his questions about his family's plantation, Frank ventures into the woods. Maybe it's just the heat playing tricks with his mind, but the forest certainly feels sinister. When Frank sees what he's sure is an apparition, he feels his past and present collide with brute force. He's the great-grandson of a cold-hearted plantation owner, who treated his slaves with sadistic cruelty - and whatever's lurking in the woods seems to know it. Which is a completely crazy thought, of course. Spooked, but more motivated than ever to figure out what's going on in Whitbrow, Frank vows to get to the bottom of the mystery. Even if the monsters are only in his head.

Those Across the River, a debut novel by poet and playwright Christopher Beuhlman, is a creepy story that reads more like literary fiction than horror. Except for all the gore, of course. Nothing poetic about that. The rest of the book, though, focuses more on character, setting and the mystery Frank's trying to solve. It may not be the most original story in the world (although I have to say I like the idea of vengeful slave spirits), but it kept me entertained. It is a little more graphic (sex, language, and gore-wise) than I would have liked. Still and all, I have to say I enjoyed Those Across the River, even if it is more of a Halloween read than a Christmas one.

(Readalikes: A million titles should be popping into my mind, but I'm drawing a blank. Any suggestions?)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, sexual content, violence and gore

To the FTC, with love: I bought Those Across the River at Changing Hands Bookstore with some of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

Sixteen-year-old Emily Webb is not the kind of girl that sneaks out of the house, talks her way into night clubs, steals other girls' boyfriends, or flirts shamelessly with older men. At least she wasn't. But lately, every night actually, the little homebody who geeks out over cheesy horror flicks is turning into something ... else. It's like she's possessed by some bad girl supervillain. And it's freaking her out. Big time.

Emily can't explain what's happening - not to her dad, not to her best friend, not even to herself. All she knows is that Nighttime Emily is ruining Daytime Emily's life. Thanks to her wild, nocturnal adventures, she's even more of an outcast than she used to be. It doesn't help that she's got the sudden urge to smell every guy she sees. Something is seriously wrong with her, but what?

The more Emily learns about her "condition," the more unbelievable the situation becomes. Is she being controlled by a classmate who was recently killed? Or is something even weirder going on? Who are the shadowy men following her? And, most importantly, who - or what - is Emily Webb?

Vesper, the first YA novel from middle grade fantasy writer Jeff Sampson, hits bookshelves in four days. I've seen some buzz and, frankly, am wondering what's the big deal. While the book is better written than some of the paranormals I've read lately, it brings absolutely nothing new to the genre. Basically, it's a mash-up of Twilight and the t.v. show Heroes (you know how Jessica has an evil twin? It's kind of like that), with a heavy dose of Shiver. Like I said, it's not bad, just not different enough to stand out. Plus, it suffers from character undevelopment (although I like Spencer anyway), melodrama (high school - 'nuf said), and some not-so-realistic plot curves (Emily sneaks out, steals a car, is out all night, etc. and her loving parents don't notice or care?). I have to admit, though, that I liked the ending. It made me want to read the sequel (Havoc, coming in 2012) despite not loving the first book. Funny how that happens sometimes. All in all, this one was pretty meh for me. I'm getting burned out on this genre and keep waiting for something new to pop up. Guess I'll just have to keep waiting ...

(Readalikes: It's like every other YA paranormal out there. Just take your pick.)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence, and depictions of underrage drinking/partying

To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Vesper from the generous folks at HarperCollins/Balzar+Bray. Thank you!