Linda C. Gerber

Aphra and her father live on a remote island and run a resort there. Aphra is surprised that they have so many visitors in the off season, including the mysterious Smith family and Mr. Watts, who seems as desperate to see her father as her father is to avoid him. Aphra begins to suspect that there is more to the Smith family than they are saying as she spots her father carrying a file on them. When the Smith's teenage son, Adam lets it slip that they know Aphra's long missing mother, things heat up quickly.
The mystery of the Smith family moves this story along, but the real mystery of where Aphra's mother is and why she didn't accompany her and her father to the island will be left unsolved until future books in the series. Overall, Death by Bikini is a good young adult mystery and a promising beginning to a mystery series.… (más)

Nori Tanaka is thrilled to be studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, but it isn't exactly what she had imagined. She expected tranquil gardens and swoopy-roofed houses, not concrete and neon. And everyone assumes that, with her traditional Japanese features, she's a native instead of the naïve Japanese-American that she really is. Even Erik, a gorgeous German student, mistakes Nori for Japanese, and treats her like a personal tour guide. Nori is sure that he'll like her for who she is once he gets to know her, so what harm can come of temporarily pretending to be Japanese? It doesn't take long to realize that she has a lot to learn about Japan, and about herself, before she can pass for a native. But after exploring the karaoke clubs in Tokyo, the peaceful temples in Kyoto, and the tranquil heights of Mt. Fuji, Nori knows she has a good chance of finding the hidden Japanese spirit and Zen mindset within herself.… (más)

When Nordic ski jumper Maureen “Mo” Clark set foot in Finland, she breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, escape from her famous skier father’s shadow and a chance to jump in the renowned Lahti Ski Games. But Mo quickly realizes that balancing practice and classes is more challenging than she expected. So when a gorgeous bad boy teammate offers coaching assistance—for a little publicity in return—how can she refuse? Surely she can work in a few extra practices somewhere between studying for calculus and sightseeing in Finland? Amid snowmobiling and dog-sledding, ice hotels and Northern lights, Mo begins to discover what strength and perseverance—the Finnish sisu—is all about. Now it’s up to her to take that final jump and cross the finish line in style.… (más)