Linda Covella

Title: Yakimali's Gift
Author: Linda Covella
Publisher: L. C.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Yakimali's Gift" by Linda Covella

My Thoughts....

What a beautiful story that was well written about this Marquina family as they make their journey in 1775 from Mexico to California that dealt with the Spaniards and Indians. During this trips there will be hardships along this expedition a 'subtle history lesson' that deals with some well developed characters...[one being... Fernanda Marquina who was fifteen with her 'inability to accept the stifling constraints of her time'] while others [Nicolas, Miguel] to name a few who were so well drawn and believable that will gives the reader a rather interesting YA historical romantic read. The author did a wonderful job in giving the reader a detailed well plotted story in a visual way of actually making it is seem as though you are seeing the scenery descriptions [desert sand, beautiful horses]. The reader will feel 'the joys, family drama, emotions, choices, hope, friendship, death, fears and pains' of the read of its imagined reality. The story really presents a picture of how a teenager [especially a girl] could feel and in the end finding their way to make their dream come true. Now as this story all starts with the relationship with her mother and this is where this story will kick off and this is where I say you will have to pick up "Yakimali's Gift" to see how well this story is presented to the readers. Will Fernanda finally finds out about her mother's Pima heritage and will she choose whether or not she wants to be a wife? In the end will Fernanda be proud of her heritage and follow her heart and 'how to assimilate totally new cultures and concepts?' This was a good read that I would recommend to all!… (más)

Kayanne (Pepper) Connelly is thirteen and about as curious as they come. Her parents have moved into Pebble Brook Lodge in the Santa Cruz area. It had been abandoned years ago and completely rundown. Her parents, both fabulous chefs, were taking on renovating it. Pepper was going to miss her friends over the Christmas holiday, but she didn’t mope around about it. She began investigating her surroundings. When she was afraid she’d become lost, she saw a small cabin in the woods. The woman who answered the door was creepy. The man that followed her as she ran back to the lodge was creepier. She had just met Mrs. Hullett and her grown son, Willie. She found out shortly after that Willie had been accused of drowning his sister in Pebble Brook Lodge back in 1966. He would have only been ten years old then. Mrs. Hullett never forgave him, and is forever sewing a dress for Karen’s birthday.

We find out early on that Pepper is a ‘Ghost Whisperer’. She not only manages to see Karen’s ghost, but three other ghosts who took up residence at Pebble Brook Lodge. One of the ghosts is much more dangerous; he’s the one she needs to be especially careful of. Pepper gets to know Willie more as time goes on, and begins to realize what a gentle spirit he is. He carves the most beautiful animal creatures. With the help of the ghosts in the house, she sets out to prove he didn’t kill his sister.

I really loved this story. It’s part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. The characters are vibrant. The descriptive time change that Pepper experiences are critical to the story and Ms. Covella does a wonderful job of placing the reader back in 1966 as well as other time periods. The only thing that felt like more of a stretch to me was the river that ran through the dining area of Pebble Brook Lodge. A nice image, but how realistic would that be? This is a preteen mystery and I really believe that age group would thoroughly enjoy this. There’s a scene of Pepper with her friend, Ally, and a Ouija board which will stick with me. It seemed the ghost was suggesting for her to find and destroy a certain book. When she asked for clarification if the book should be destroyed, “The pointer flew to the word ‘No.’ Then to ‘Yes.’ Then it went faster and faster and faster, skidding between the two words yes no yes no yes no …” Rating: 4 out of 5.

EDIT: The author commented that there is a real Brookdale Lodge in the Santa Cruz Mountains that inspired her story. It truly has a creek running through the middle of the dining room. Here is a link to pictures on her website : https://lindacovella.com/ghost-whisperer-series/the-ghosts-of-pebble-brook-lodge.... So, it is not only realistic; it has been done.… (más)

I received a e-book copy of this book through a giveaway on Marie Lavender’s FaceBook page from the author and the following is my honest opinion.

Ghost Whisperer, Pepper Connelly, her sister and chef parents had decided to move so they could undertake a new venture where they could apply their cooking skills. They wound up at the Pebble Brook Lodge which has been abandoned for many years, which meant a total renovation would also be needed.

And what good would a place like this be without a cast of ghosts inhabiting it; as well as a mystery added in for good measure. Pepper and her new friend Ally set out to solve the mystery of Karen Hullet’s death, and to prove that her brother Willet, who had been accused of her murder, is in fact innocent of the crime.

The loved the way Pepper with her friend are able to unravel some of the clues, with a variety of complexity, which had either stymied the adults who been involved with the original investigation, or had been misled in their findings.

In the end these two sleuths found there had been far more to Karen’s demise than anyone back then could have imagined.

The author has used the right combination of ghost hauntings, the occult and even time travel to give her readers a delightful reading experience which has been able to grasp their attention throughout the reading of this book. While this is my overall opinion for the book, I believe it could have been tighten up a bit; which is why I’m this book 4 STARS.… (más)