It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (August 4, 2014)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Last week was a great week for reading capped off by a great trip to Edina to meet Ilona Andrews. I got there early enough for the Meet & Greet and had a great time talking to them and listening to them talk about their books.

I brought all of my books by them to be autographed and they were so gracious to sign and sign and sign. This is the first time they have been to Minnesota. I'm glad we laid on nice weather for their visit. 

I also met a friend at the signing who gave me a very cute crocheted elephant for my birthday. I turned 64 on Saturday.

Read Last Week

Wood Sprites by Wen Spencer was a review book I got from Edelweiss. It is the fourth book in the Elfhome series and is filled with mythological creatures like elves, dragons, and tengu but also takes place in modern day New York City. The main characters are 9-year-old twin geniuses but this isn't really a kids' book. My review will be posted on September 3.

Irresistible Force by D. D. Ayres is a romantic suspense title that I got from NetGalley. I enjoyed this story which had an overabundance of stalkers. The main characters are drawn together first because they both claim the same dog. His K-9 partner was dognapped and she rescues it from death at a shelter. My review will be posted on August 23.

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley was a YA review book that tells the story of the first girl to attend a formerly all-boys military academy. It was gritty but I really liked the main character Sam who went on a bet and was determined to succeed despite the horrible harassment she faced. My review will be posted on Sept. 4.

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews is the latest in their Kate Daniels urban fantasy series. I really enjoyed seeing the confrontation with Roland finally happen. The story had everything I love in urban fantasy - great characters, romance, and epic battles. My review will be posted on Sept. 6.

Bound to Danger by Katie Reus was a romantic suspense title I received from NetGalley. It was a good story with lots of romantic tension and a fast-paced plot. My review will be posted on August 6.

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead also just arrived. This is the latest in the Bloodlines series and was another excellent addition to that series. My review will be posted on August 13. 

Evidence of Things Not Seen by Lindsey Lane was a YA contemporary review book. It is a series of vignettes told from multiple characters centering around the disappearance of high school junior Tommy Smythe and the roadside turn-out where he disappeared. The writing would make this an English teacher's delight but I'm not sure how teen audiences will react. My review will be posted on September 6.

The Vault of the Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien begins a science fiction series the blends reality television with experimental brain surgery at an exclusive school for the Arts. The main character was engaging and the story was intense and mysterious. My review will be posted on September 11.

Currently

I am currently reading The Magic Thief: Home by Sarah Prineas. I have just begun but I'm enjoying this 4th book in the Magic Thief series. This is a great series for middle grade readers who like adventure and magic. 

Next Week

I have lots of September release review books on my stack for next week.

Blackbird by Anna Carey

Get Even by Gretchen McNeil

Silent Murders by Mary Miley

Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan

Adrenaline Crush by Laurie Boyle Crompton

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry

I also plan to read Blood Games by Chloe Neill as soon as it downloads to my Kindle on Tuesday. I love the Chicagoland Vampires series. 

I also have my three recent Amazon Vine books to read. All of them are already published. So the only deadline is the 30 days I have to read them in order to stay in good graces with Amazon Vine.

Reviews Posted

• Steel by Carrie Vaughn
• Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark
• Frostborn by Lou Anders
• The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
• Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre
• Collared by L. A. Kornetsky

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

• Inside of a Dog
• Ms. Martin Teaches Media

I hope to have a great reading week this week too. I will be getting up really, really early on Saturday morning and traveling to Racine, Wisconsin, to attend a book signing by Chloe Neill. Since it is a 6 and a half hour drive, I'm spending the night and driving back on Sunday. I have never had a chance to meet Chloe Neill and am bringing all of her Chicagoland Vampires series to be autographed. Come to think of it, I've never been to Racine, Wisconsin, either. I hear there are lots of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in town and it is on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

What do you have planned for your week?