It has been several years since I found Lily Dale Awakening at a used bookstore and read it because it sounded interesting. I loved it and wanted to read the rest of the series, but it wasn't until this last winter that I finally acquired the next three books. Wendy Corsi Staub writes amazing suspense and romantic suspense novels. As far as I know, this is her only young adult series. I was as captivated by this book as I was the first one.
After her amazing summer in Lily Dale, Calla has decided she wants to stay in Lily Dale a while longer in hopes of finding out more about her mother's death through the psychic gift Calla has discovered runs through her family. In Awakening, Calla's visions led her to the body of a child who had been killed, but now that child's spirit has appeared to Calla asking her to help stop the man who killed her. When Calla's visions save the life of another of his victims, the killer focuses his rage on Calla, putting her life in danger. All the while, Calla is trying to deal with her messy love life, her absentee father, and being the new girl in school.
This book was as enjoyable as the first, but I wish a little more time had been spent on the mystery surrounding the serial killer, but overall, an engrossing read. I now look forward to reading the rest of the series starting with the next book, Lily Dale Connecting. ( )

It has been several years since I found Lily Dale Awakening at a used bookstore and read it because it sounded interesting. I loved it and wanted to read the rest of the series, but it wasn't until this last winter that I finally acquired the next three books. Wendy Corsi Staub writes amazing suspense and romantic suspense novels. As far as I know, this is her only young adult series. I was as captivated by this book as I was the first one.
After her amazing summer in Lily Dale, Calla has decided she wants to stay in Lily Dale a while longer in hopes of finding out more about her mother's death through the psychic gift Calla has discovered runs through her family. In Awakening, Calla's visions led her to the body of a child who had been killed, but now that child's spirit has appeared to Calla asking her to help stop the man who killed her. When Calla's visions save the life of another of his victims, the killer focuses his rage on Calla, putting her life in danger. All the while, Calla is trying to deal with her messy love life, her absentee father, and being the new girl in school.
This book was as enjoyable as the first, but I wish a little more time had been spent on the mystery surrounding the serial killer, but overall, an engrossing read. I now look forward to reading the rest of the series starting with the next book, Lily Dale Connecting. ( )

The second book in the Lily Dale series, this one can be read independent of the first.

Using the backdrop of Lily Dale, a town 60 miles south of Buffalo, NY and is possibly the largest Spiritualist community in the United States, the author follows the saga of 17 year old Calla who recently discovered her psychic ability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Dale

Temporarily living with her maternal grandmother in Lily Dale, Calla becomes more convinced that her mother was murdered. This, added to the fact that Calla is able to help track a serial killer preying on young girls, lends to a very interesting story.

While not riveting or challenging, it is the type of book I need right now...nothing in depth, but fun.
The book contains suspense, a bit of romance and a tale of family ties that bind both here on earth and on the next plain. ( )

I loved this story. Calla has settled into her new life in Lily Dale. She is accepting the knowledge that her mother may have not accidentally fell down the family home's stairs and that she is seeing and talking to ghosts. Not only is she settling in; but she actually likes her new home, and is taking an active role with her newly discovered abilities.

Wendy Corsi Staub writes a hell of story, that with capture and intrigue the reader through the last pages. After two books, I am sold as a Staub fan and look forward to reading more from this author. ( )

definite step up from the first book. it still moved a little slow for me, but the tense didn't bother me nearly as much as it did in the first book. i'm awaiting the third. ( )