Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson Kate Malone is a straight A science and math geek, minister's daughter, ace long-distance runner, unwilling family caretaker, emotional avoidance champion. Kate manages her life by compartmentalizing it, not unlike the periodic table. When her enemy and neighbor, Terri's, house is burned down and Terri and her brother Mikey moves in it becomes a catalyst to Kate's neat and tidy life. She can handle anything--or so she thinks. She finds that while her life feels like it is falling apart others have it much worse. I really like Anderson's writing style - even uses great chemical titles and subtitles for the short chapters - as you feel like you are in Kate's head. But this is definitely not has strong as Speak was. Her website doesn't seem to be working - http://www.writerlady.com/

Death in Bloodhound Red by Virginia Lanier Jo Beth Siddon is a bloodhound trainer with a special talent for harrowing search-and-rescue missions, and a bad habit for mouthing off to deputies who refuse to take orders from a woman.She has seen her share of trouble: moonshiners poking guns at her head, crooked cops, and an abusive ex-husband with a terrible temper. Then she's suspected of murder and finds herself treading a quagmire as thick and treacherous as the Okefenokee Swamp. If she can't prove her innocence, she might lose not only the thriving business she loves, but the freedom and independence she's fought for all her life.