Deadly Little Secret

November 15, 2008
The prolific Stolarz (Blue is for Nightmares, 2003, etc.) here launches the new Touch series. Three months ago a handsome boy saved Camelia 's life; now he 's enrolled at her school, followed by rumors that he killed his girlfriend. As if that 's not excitement enough, Camelia seems to have attracted a secret admirer, and her lively first-person narrative is interrupted by passages from the perspective of this prospective suitor. Is it new boy Ben? Jock John? Ex-boyfriend Matt? Or even Camelia 's young boss at the pottery studio and shop? Whoever he is, he 's determined to win Camelia at any cost, and the tension ratchets up until the action-packed ending. Meanwhile, Ben reveals his ability to sense the future through touch, a power he only partially controls and which failed to save his ex. Camelia can 't help being drawn to Ben even when he warns her to stay away. CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2009
Sixteen-year-old Camelia is being stalked. Most people think it's the new kid at school, Ben, who is rumored to have killed his previous girlfriend. But Camelia is falling for Ben, and she's willing to trust in his psychic powers. The presence of Camelia's wisecracking best friends adds welcome levity to the lightly suspenseful story.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 15, 2008
The prolific Stolarz (Blue is for Nightmares, 2003, etc.) here launches the new Touch series. Three months ago a handsome boy saved Camelia's life; now he's enrolled at her school, followed by rumors that he killed his girlfriend. As if that's not excitement enough, Camelia seems to have attracted a secret admirer, and her lively first-person narrative is interrupted by passages from the perspective of this prospective suitor. Is it new boy Ben? Jock John? Ex-boyfriend Matt? Or even Camelia's young boss at the pottery studio and shop? Whoever he is, he's determined to win Camelia at any cost, and the tension ratchets up until the action-packed ending. Meanwhile, Ben reveals his ability to sense the future through touch, a power he only partially controls and which failed to save his ex. Camelia can't help being drawn to Ben even when he warns her to stay away. CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)