Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Book Review: Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Steals the Show
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville (Book 10)
Publication: Tor Books; Original edition (July 31, 2012)

Description: Kitty has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the First International Conference on Paranatural Studies, taking place in London. The conference brings together scientists, activists, protestors, and supernatural beings from all over the world--and Kitty, Ben, and Cormac are right in the middle of it.

Master vampires from dozens of cities have also gathered in London for a conference of their own. With the help of the Master of London, Kitty gets more of a glimpse into the Long Game--a power struggle among vampires that has been going on for centuries--than she ever has before. In her search for answers, Kitty has the help of some old allies, and meets some new ones, such as Caleb, the alpha werewolf of the British Isles. The conference has also attracted some old enemies, who've set their sights on her and her friends.

All the world's a stage, and Kitty's just stepped into the spotlight.

My Thoughts: Kitty has been invited to London to give the keynote speech at a conference about paranormals. She is excited to learn and excited to line up interviews for her radio show. But no conference can go smoothly when protesters both favoring and hating paranormals are a constant presence. Also Roman is still agitating in the background in his quest for war.

Kitty, Ben and Cormac have been invited to stay with the master vampire of the city. Ned was a famous Shakespearean actor and knew Shakespeare and other literary lights of the day. Kitty is awed and fascinated by him. But as a vampire, Ben and Cormac don't trust him. Ned arranges for Kitty to meet other vampires who have gathered out of concern for the conference where Kitty sees things a modern American werewolf has trouble handling.

Kitty also meets the werewolf who is the alpha of the British werewolves. And Kitty meets faeries. Kitty is gathering allies for the upcoming war and foments rebellion among the werewolves who are held as property by some of the vampires. She is also trying to find out which vampires are allied with Roman.

When her friend Tyler is kidnapped, Kitty calls on all her allies to help find him including the werewolf alpha, the vampire Ned, and her new human contact who is a descendent of Amelia, the spirit who is sharing headspace with her friend Cormac.

This was an exciting and entertaining addition to the long running Kitty Norville series. I liked the way Kitty firmed up her belief that communication can solve many problems and that conspiracies exposed to the light lose some of their power.

Favorite Quote:
"The screaming hordes of teenage girls we've all seen in the concert footage."

"The Beatles started an epidemic of that sort of thing," Martin said with obvious awe. "Almost had to be supernatural, don't you think?"

I rather thought it may have had something to do with the widespread availability of  television ushering in an era of hyped-up pop culture and mass consumerism. But I was willing to humor him.
I bought this book on July 31, 2012. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:
However, she knew when to push and when to negotiate. "Fine, but whoever stays with me must do so by choice—and not by your order."

When he went to argue she held up her hand. 
This week my teaser comes from Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima. I got this eARC for review from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:
The author of Summer Moon returns to her “great werewolf world,”* where war looms and love may be the key to saving all of shifter kind…

For centuries, Cormack has lived between worlds—a man trapped in the body of a wolf, shunned by humans and shifters alike. Only one person has ever welcomed his company: Elen, a kindred outcast who is feared by others of her ancient Celtic race for her strange healing abilities. Cormack has always valued Elen’s kindness and understanding, but after a desperate act of friendship causes Elen to free him from his curse, he realizes he wants more. He wants all of her—completely and forever.

Except before Cormack can win Elen’s heart, Pendaran, the evil leader of the Guardians, captures her, determined to manipulate her incredible power to aid him in his twisted war against the shapeshifting tribes. Now Cormack must use all of his skills as a warrior and a wolf to save the woman he loves—before Pendaran’s vile schemes destroy them all…

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 28, 2015)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead
.
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.

Other Than Reading...

Baseball is winding down with my Atlanta Braves out of the post-season this year but The Voice has begun its new season. I was hoping that my reading time would increase but it looks there will be as much viewing as before. I am also eager to watch some of the new programs debuting this fall. I watched the premiere of Blindspot after The Voice last week and enjoyed it.

Our weather this past week was delightfully summer-like. I took lots of long walks after school before settling down in front of my computer. Unfortunately, the forecast for next week, which happens to be Homecoming week at school, is looking more fall-like. I think they are predicting rain for every day. Since I'm a fair weather walker, my step count will likely go down. On the up side, my reading time will increase.
Read Last Week
Sinner's Steel by Sarah Castillo was a romance set around an outlaw motorcycle club. I enjoyed the romance and learning more about life in a motorcycle club. My review will be posted on October 3.

Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal is the third book in her Glamourist Histories. I enjoy the characters, magic, and setting of this series. My review will be posted on November 26.

Currently
I kept putting this one off in favor of review books. But I am finally getting a chance to read Play by Kylie Scott.

Next Week

There are two review books on my stack for next week.
 In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler (Dec. 1)
Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz (Dec. 8)

Reviews Posted

  • Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey
  • Breaking a Legend by Sarah Robinson
  • Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
I was so excited to get a copy of Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz for review. She has been an auto-buy author for me for years. The book will be released on December 8.

In celebration of Banned Books Week and Amazon's Kindle sale, I decided to add The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold to my TBR mountain. 
I also chose a second banned book that has been on my radar for a while. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood was a book I was sure I had until I checked my LibraryThing account. Now I really do.

The Sign of the Book by John Dunning was also a Kindle deal this week. I have read the first books in this five book series but not this book 4.

To see what Young Adult books I have been reading and plan to read, check out Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Book Review: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

Blood Bound
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound (Book 1)
Publication: MIRA; Original edition (September 1, 2011)

Description: By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special—a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…

My Thoughts: Liv Warren is Skilled. She can track someone down if she has some of their blood or knows their full name. In this world the Skilled are not publicly recognized or legal. What has happened is that two rival organizations have divided up the city into thirds and control Skilled people by means of magically binding contracts. In order to protect the man she loves, Liv has entered into a contract with Ruben Cavazos who controls one-third of the city. She needs to find his missing son before six months are up or spend the rest of her life as his virtual slave bound to follow his every order.

One night old friend Anna Liang comes to see Liv and demands that she help her find the man who murdered her husband. When they were twelve, four good friends with the assistance of one of the friend's younger sisters signed an oath in blood that compels them to help each other if they are asked. Now Anna is asking. Not only is she asking but she is demanding that Live work with Cam Caballero, the man she left to save his life but never stopped loving. Cam is also a tracker though his strong suit is finding someone by name.

Unfortunately Cam is already bound to Jake Tower, Cavazos's rival who controls one of the thirds of the city. When they learn that the wrong person was kidnapped, that they really wanted Anna's daughter, they find themselves in a situation that pits them against their bosses and looking for loopholes in their contracts.

This was an interesting urban fantasy with wonderful world building. I liked Liv very much and thought her relationship with Cam was nicely complex. I was curious about a world where Skilled people could track someone by blood or tell if they were lying or write a contract that a person couldn't break or travel from place to place in shadows.

This is the first book in a three book series. I can't wait to read the rest.

Favorite Quote:
She sat up, clutching the rag in one hand. "Olivia, I don't need you to cut his throat with a scalpel and frame governor's personal physician. I don't need the best. Hell, I can't afford the best. Proficiency will suffice, and from what I've heard, you're more than proficient."

What? "I don't care what you've heard, I don't kill people for money!" Much. Anymore.

Not just for money, anyway.
I bought this book in 2011. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday Memes: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I an spotlighting Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent. This fantasy has been on my TBR mountain since Aug. 31, 2011. Here is the description from Amazon:
By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special—a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…
Beginning:
Only two-thirty in the morning, and I already had blood on my hands. The most messed-up part of that? It was the hour that bothered me.
Friday 56: 
"My marriage is complicated," he whispered into my ear, his cheek brushing mine. "She punishes me, I punish her, and the cycle continues."

"What do you punish each other for?"

"For living."

Thursday, September 24, 2015

ARC Review: Breaking a Legend by Sarah Robinson

Breaking a Legend
Author: Sarah Robinson
Publication: Loveswept (September 29, 2015)

Description: Perfect for fans of Katy Evans and Monica Murphy, Sarah Robinson’s blistering-hot series debut introduces the Kavanagh brothers—mixed martial arts fighters who work hard, play hard, and love with all their hearts.

As one of the big names at his family’s gym, Legends, MMA star Rory Kavanagh is used to being in the spotlight—until a gruesome leg injury knocks him out of the cage. Rory is left feeling sidelined in more ways than one, battling the inner demons that come with losing the one shot at his dreams. Then Clare walks into his life and gives him a new dream: winning her heart. There aren’t many new faces in Woodlawn these days, but this tough, beautiful stranger makes Rory want to get his life back into fighting shape.

Clare Ivers doesn’t think she’ll be able to tell anyone what really brought her to the close-knit Bronx neighborhood where she just started bartending. But her life’s on pause and her past is catching up fast, try as she might to move on—with new friends, steady work, and a chiseled alpha male trying to get her attention. Even though Rory’s more than a little intense, she can’t deny that her heart beats faster when he looks at her with those soulful silver eyes. Clare thought she was done with love, but Rory might just be man enough to show her she thought wrong.

My Thoughts: Rory Kavanagh was a star in the MMA until a nasty knee injury sidelines him. He is finished with the physical therapy but is using booze and pills to mask the pain. He doesn't know what he wants out of life and has set aside enough money to not have to rush into a choice.

Clare Ivers is on the run from a dominating boyfriend who's a drug dealer and all-around nasty human being. They meet one evening when he drifts into the bar where she is bartending. They meet again the next day when she stops in at the gym his family owns to sign up for some self-defense classes.

Clare has dreams of being a veterinarian and she and Rory bond over the rescue dog that he has adopted and rehabilitated. Their relationship grows as she calls out the best in him and she learns that a man can be strong and protective without taking away all her choices.

Both characters were well-rounded people with both strengths and flaws. I liked the side characters - Rory's parents, brothers, and cousin - and can't wait to read more books in this series in hopes that his brothers and cousin will find their happy endings too.

Favorite Quote:
"It's not about letting you in, Rory. It's about being afraid to let myself out. I've lived behind certain walls my whole life; I'm safe there. Something about you is trying to change that, and I don't know why I'm letting it." He loved her honesty and the way she admitted her fears to him, causing him to grab her hand in his again. She didn't pull away this time, and he was glad because he wouldn't have let her.
I bought this book. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Book Review: Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey

Dragonsblood
Author: Todd McCaffrey
Series: Dragon Riders of Pern (Book 8)
Publication: Del Rey (January 25, 2005)

Description: In Dragon’s Kin, bestselling author Anne McCaffrey did the unthinkable: for the first time ever, she invited another writer to join her in the skies of her most famous fictional creation. That writer was her son, Todd McCaffrey. Together, they penned a triumphant new chapter in the annals of the extraordinarily popular Dragonriders of Pern. Now, for the first time, Todd McCaffrey flies alone. And Dragonsblood is proof that the future of Pern is in good hands. After all, dragons are in his blood. . . .

Never in the dramatic history of Pern has there been a more dire emergency than that which faces the young dragonrider Lorana. A mysterious fatal illness is striking dragons. The epidemic is spreading like wildfire . . . and the next deadly cycle of Threadfall is only days away. Somehow, Lorana must find a cure before the dragons–including her own beloved Arith–succumb to the sickness, leaving Pern undefended.

The lyrics of an all-but-forgotten song seem to point toward an answer from nearly five hundred years in the past, when Kitti Ping and her daughter Wind Blossom bred the first dragons from their smaller cousins, the fire-lizards. No doubt the first colonists possessed the advanced technology to find the cure for which Lorana seeks, but over the centuries, that knowledge has been lost.
Or has it?

For in the distant past, an aged Wind Blossom worries that the germs that affect the fire-lizards may one day turn on larger prey–and unleash a plague that will destroy the dragons, Pern’s only defenders against Thread. But as her people struggle to survive, Wind Blossom has neither the time nor the resources to expend on a future that may never arrive–until suddenly she uncovers evidence that her worst fears will come true.

Now two brave women, separated by hundreds of years but joined by bonds transcending time, will become unknowing allies in a desperate race against sickness and Threadfall, with nothing less than the survival of all life on Pern at stake.

My Thoughts: This book weaves two stories and two time periods together. In 507, Thread is just beginning to fall but the dragons are getting sick. Lorana is the daughter of a herder and one of the population that survived a plague. She is a talented artist, a skilled healer, has impressed two fire lizards, and can speak to all dragons.

Lorana has set herself a goal of traveling around Pern and drawing pictures of all the life forms. To do this she boards a ship but has to escape it because the Captain wants more from her that her skills as a healer. After nearing death in a small boat in a storm, she sends her fire lizards away in hopes that they will survive. She is rescued by dragon riders and taken to Benden Weyr. Her skills let her impress a new queen at the latest hatching. But dragons are dying of some kind of disease. Lorana and Kindan are set to search the records that the Weyrs keep in hope of finding some information about this illness and some cure for it.

The other time period  that is woven into this story is the year 57 at the end of the first Threadfall. Wind Blossom is one of the original settlers of Pern and is a noted geneticist. However, she is seeing that the technology is breaking down and the settlers are focusing on growing their population and expanding their territories. It won't take much time for most of the information not needed for immediate survival is lost.

When a sick fire lizard - one of Lorana's - falls from the sky, Wind Blossom knows that the future of these genetically engineered dragons is in jeopardy. She has to come up with a cure and find some way to hide the knowledge so that it will be available in Lorana's time.

This is only the basics of the story. There is a jealous weyrwoman who resents Lorana's ability to talk to dragons and fears losing her power in the weyr. There are dragon riders in both time periods who are more focused on fighting thread now than in thinking ahead for the future. There is a romance.

All in all, this was a great story set in the world of Pern that shows a time that hadn't been explored before.

Favorite Quote:
What's a hatchling doing here? Lorana wondered. She shrank against the wall, trying to remain unseen, but the hatchling turned toward her.

I said I was hungry!

Lorana stopped dead, frozen in shock and fear, her breathing shallow, her eyes wide. It could not be. The dragonet couldn't be talking to her—it had to be her stomach.

Please, my wing hurts. the pitiful voice in her head was accompanied by a painful mewling that Lorana's ears heard.

Her instincts took over. She could never let an animal suffer. She rushed to the waddling dragonet and quickly untangled its baby clawed feet from its left wing tip.

"There, better?" Lorana asked out loud, oblivious to the crowd gathering around her, concentrating solely on this marvelous young gold dragon who had asked her for help.

Much, thank you, the dragonet replied, butting her head against Lorana's side. I am Arith.
I bought this book Sometime before February 2008. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Breaking a Legend by Sarah Robinson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:
Giving up, he stood and went for his third refill of whiskey in the kitchen, discreetly swallowing a few pills with it when he was out of eyesight. 
This week my teaser comes from Breaking a Legend by Sarah Robinson. I got this eARC from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:
Perfect for fans of Katy Evans and Monica Murphy, Sarah Robinson’s blistering-hot series debut introduces the Kavanagh brothers—mixed martial arts fighters who work hard, play hard, and love with all their hearts.

As one of the big names at his family’s gym, Legends, MMA star Rory Kavanagh is used to being in the spotlight—until a gruesome leg injury knocks him out of the cage. Rory is left feeling sidelined in more ways than one, battling the inner demons that come with losing the one shot at his dreams. Then Clare walks into his life and gives him a new dream: winning her heart. There aren’t many new faces in Woodlawn these days, but this tough, beautiful stranger makes Rory want to get his life back into fighting shape.

Clare Ivers doesn’t think she’ll be able to tell anyone what really brought her to the close-knit Bronx neighborhood where she just started bartending. But her life’s on pause and her past is catching up fast, try as she might to move on—with new friends, steady work, and a chiseled alpha male trying to get her attention. Even though Rory’s more than a little intense, she can’t deny that her heart beats faster when he looks at her with those soulful silver eyes. Clare thought she was done with love, but Rory might just be man enough to show her she thought wrong.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 21, 2015)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
.
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.

Other Than Reading...

Our first full week of school also went great. Thus far it has been a good school year. I am really enjoying being able to go home at 1:30. The weather is pleasant. The construction at the elementary building is going well and isn't disrupting my part of the school at all. It will be nice when it is all finished in December and the people who have been displaced are all able to move into their permanent locations. Since the office has moved into the teachers' lounge, it will be nice to have our lounge back.

I spent Thursday afternoon at the dentist. I had a cavity under a crown and needed to have the crown removed, the cavity taken care of, and then all the prep work for a new crown. Since I have an extremely strong gag reflex, this wasn't a fun afternoon for me or for my dentist. Now I have to go back in a couple of weeks to get my new crown. Meanwhile, I have a temporary plastic crown and have been told to try to chew on the other side. 

I have been trying to walk at least 8000 steps a day and most school days I easily make that goal. I have been walking after I get home from school but before I sit down at my computer. Friday afternoon I missed my walk though because I was waiting for phone calls. Weekends, despite errands, are still pretty sedentary as I try to catch up on reading and blogging.

Read Last Week
My plans were derailed this week when I added a few more review books to my stack that are all being released during the time I already had blog posts scheduled. So I have been moving posts around to fit in these new books.

I read Cast in Honor by Michelle Sagara. This is the twelfth in a series and is a complex high fantasy with characters I have grown to love. I enjoyed this episode which will be released on November 24. My review will be posted on November 19.

I was also invited by St. Martin's Press to read The Bad Boy CEO by Sugar Jamison and liked it. It was a pretty standard romance but was well written and had engaging characters. My review will be posted on November 5 for this November 3 release. I think I might even be on the blog tour.
Untimely Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan was a cozy mystery from Crooked Lane Books. The setting in the Catskills at one of the old resort hotels which has found a new life as the host for Shakespearean plays during the summer season. Our unlikely detective is a costume designer. This one was fun. My review will be posted on November 11.

Currently
Sinner's Steel by Sarah Castille is a review book I just got. It will be released on October 6. Thus far I am enjoying the romance but not the motorcycle club lifestyle.

Next Week
Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal is the next in her Regency fantasy series.

Play by Kylie Scott is the second book in her Stage Dive romance series.
In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler is the next review book on my stack. This is in her series where the Dallas SWAT is peopled by werewolves.

Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal is another in her Glamourist Histories series. After finishing it, I'll have to decide if I want to know what happens next enough to buy the hardcover or if I can wait for the paperback release next Spring.

Reviews Posted

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

First, I was auto-approved by Crooked Lane Books at NetGalley and added a couple of their mysteries to my review stack.
The 8th Circle by Sarah Cain is a thriller being released on January 12.

Untimely Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan is a cozy being released on November 10. It is next up on my reading stack.
I got a couple of emails with invitations to review from St. Martin's Press this week.

Sinner's Steel by Sarah Castille is the third book in the Sinner's Tribe Motorcycle Club series. I haven't read the first two but was seduced by the cover. This book will be released on October 6.

The Bad Boy CEO by Sugar Jamison was also in an email. This ebook only romance will be released on November 3.

I also bought a couple of books this week.
The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Clark was a Kindle Daily Deal. I chose it because it is a steampunk mystery.

I also got Devoted in Death for J. D. Robb for my Kindle. I am so tempted to set the stack of books I planned to read aside and read this one but I am trying to be good.

To see what Young Adult books I have been reading and plan to read, check out Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Book Review: Bengal's Quest by Lora Leigh

Bengal's Quest
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #30
Publication: Berkley (June 23, 2015)

Description: He was a shadow, ever shifting and insinuating, able to blend in everywhere and anywhere. The elusive ideal conceived and created by the Genetics Council, he went by just as many names as he had identities—the last one being Gideon.

Now calling himself Graeme, he hides in plain sight, terrifyingly close to his goal. A rogue Bengal Breed, he has loyalties to no one but himself. And he has a need for vengeance that surges hot and swift through his veins.

Graeme plans to exact an extreme and ruthless vendetta against those who wronged him—Breed and human alike. All will suffer his wrath: those who created him, those who pretended to love him, and those who betrayed him.

That includes the one at the center of it all: a seductive, enigmatic woman helpless against the man whose desire is just as desperate as his need to destroy.

And he’s on her scent…

My Thoughts: Gideon was handed Cat when she was three days old and told to take care of her. She was dying of a genetic flaw and needed all of eleven-year-old Gabriel's knowledge of human and Breed genetics to live. She saved his sanity but, in order to save her life, he had to escape from the lab without her when she was twelve. And, when he freed her from the van taking her to be euthanized, he had to convince her that he didn't care for her - that she was only an experiment to him.

Thirteen years have passed with great trials for both Gideon and Cat. He was recaptured by the labs and faced horrible torture before escaping. Cat was hidden by a Navaho ceremony that had her sharing her body with the spirit of a dead girl and had her living the dead girl's life in the home of a man who hated her.

All along Cat has both loved and hated Gideon. When he comes to her, she isn't willing to trust that he won't abandon her again. When mating heat comes to them, she is doing everything she can to deny it until she can trust him and he can love her.

Outside of that personal drama is the bigger picture of the Breeds trying to forge a place for themselves even though the organization that created them and experimented on them really wants them back under their control.

This book fits well into the series but is much richer for having read the previous books. It would not really stand alone well as the political situation is complex and not a lot of backstory is given.

Favorite Quote:
"She's been deserted all her life, Cullen," Terran snapped, the scent of his anger growing. "Even by him. And by God following suit with everyone else in her damned life doesn't sit well with me."

Turning Terran stomped back into the house, leaving Cullen to turn and stare into the desert, the weight of Terran's words weighing on his shoulders. Because he was right. They'd all deserted her in one form or the other, to save her. But in ensuring her physical survival, what had they done to her heart?
I bought this book. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Friday Memes: Bengal's Quest by Lora Leigh

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I am spotlighting Bengal's Quest by Lora Leigh. This is the 30th book in her Breeds series. I have been following along for quite a while. Here is the description from Amazon:
He was a shadow, ever shifting and insinuating, able to blend in everywhere and anywhere. The elusive ideal conceived and created by the Genetics Council, he went by just as many names as he had identities—the last one being Gideon.

Now calling himself Graeme, he hides in plain sight, terrifyingly close to his goal. A rogue Bengal Breed, he has loyalties to no one but himself. And he has a need for vengeance that surges hot and swift through his veins.

Graeme plans to exact an extreme and ruthless vendetta against those who wronged him—Breed and human alike. All will suffer his wrath: those who created him, those who pretended to love him, and those who betrayed him.

That includes the one at the center of it all: a seductive, enigmatic woman helpless against the man whose desire is just as desperate as his need to destroy.

And he’s on her scent…
Beginning:
Cat stared at the white walls of the cell she'd grown up in and she cried. She hadn't cried in a long time.

It hurt G when she cried, so she'd stopped crying when she was scared, when she was five. She was twelve now, and unless the therapies just hurt so bad she couldn't stand it anymore, she didn't cry.
Friday 56: 
He could see her face, so stark and pale, her eyes filled with bitterness, and felt his chest clench at the knowledge of the pain he'd caused her.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

ARC Review: The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

The Heat of the Moment
Author: Katie Rose
Series: The Boys of Summer (Book 3)
Publication: September 22, 2015

Description: The Boys of Summer are back! In Katie Rose’s sweet, sparkling novel, the newest New Jersey Sonic falls for the woman who’s trying desperately to save his career.

Physical therapist Jessica Hart has learned her lesson: Never date professional athletes. She’s been down that road, and barely recovered after the relationship crashed and burned. Then Jessica meets Gavin King. An All-Star slugger with chiseled good looks, Gavin was traded to the Sonics because he hurt his knee sliding into second, and now his future is in her hands. Gavin’s no bad boy—but he’s tempting enough to make Jessica think twice about all her rules.

Gavin is trying to find a comfortable routine. If he wants his old life back, he must take it easy, stay out of the limelight, and keep his distance from gorgeous redheaded physical therapists. The thing is, Gavin isn’t the kind of guy to sit on his ass and let other people pull his weight. And when he sees something he wants, he can’t help but fight for it, even if it means risking everything, even if it only lasts a single moment: like one kiss from Jessica.

My Thoughts: Jessica Hart is an athletic trainer who is working for the New Jersey Sonics. After having her heart broken by a professional baseball player, she has decided not to date another professional athlete. When Gavin King is traded to the Sonics after the Dodgers decide not to take the chance that his knee injury will heal, Jessica is assigned to his case.

Shortly after arriving to a place he had no desire to go, Gavin's swimsuit model dumps him which is just one more change is a life too full of them. Now Gavin has to deal with a knee that is slowly healing, a team that is less serious than what he is used to, and a whole lifestyle change.

Both Jessica and Gavin are attracted to each other but both have reasons why this won't work. This first starts as friendship as Jessica helps him get settled in New Jersey. But the relationship soon gets closer. Gavin knows that Jessica is the one for him but it takes quite a bit longer before Jessica is willing to trust her heart to another baseball player.

This sports romance was really good. I liked both main characters very much. I liked that they didn't instantly fall in love. Fans of sports romances will enjoy this book. Also, look for the first two books in this series - BRING ON THE HEAT and TOO HOT TO HANDLE to read the romances of some of the side characters in this story.

Favorite Quote:
After putting the mat away, she turned to look him in the eye. "Not that it's any of your business, but with the exception of my brothers, I don't care for professional athletes."

"Why?" Roger asked, bewildered.

"Because you all have egos the size of the state of Texas, you want to screw everything that moves. You don't care abut anything but the game and yourself. What about all that would be appealing to me?"
I got this eARC from NetGalley for review. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Book Review: Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank

Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Series: A Rose Gardner Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 15, 2015)

Description: When Rose Gardner reports for jury duty in Denise Grover Swank's New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, she figures she's lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Then, in spite of a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she's picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses and with the help of one of her visions, she realizes that there's more to the story, but there's not a cotton picking thing she can do about it. Or is there?

As if things weren't bad enough, Rose's older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons, and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can't commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn't about to let the best thing in her life slip away in the second in this charming series from bestseller Denise Grover Swank.

My Thoughts: Rose Gardner's second adventure is filled with as much madcap action as her first. The story centers around Rose being called for jury duty but, through a series of accidents, finds herself in the mens' room where she has a vision of someone saying that he is going to get away with murder.

The next thing Rose knows she is chosen to be on the jury where Bruce Wayne Decker is on trial for the murder of Frank Mitchell. This is somewhat surprising because Rose had a couple of run-ins with the new District Attorney Mason Devereaux. The trial also goes along just the way you'd expect from anything Rose is involved in: first, the air conditioner in the court house breaks, and, second, one of the jurors brings an egg dish that gives all the other jurors who eat it food poisoning. These delays just give Rose a chance to investigate to find the real murderer getting herself into all sorts of trouble.

Rose is also facing some boyfriend issues. She has been dating Joe Simmons for a month but he has been commuting from Little Rock and wants her to quit her job at the DMV and move to Little Rock to be with him. Rose is just finding her feet after years of abuse by her mother. She wants to take things slow and learn who she is before making big changes in her life.

To add to the confusion, Rose's older sister Violet is having trouble with her husband Mike. They married young and now they might be growing apart. Violet is dealing with the uncertainty in her life by trying to micromanage Rose's life including finding her a more acceptable boyfriend than Joe. This leads to a couple of awkward dinners at Violet and Mike's. One when Violet tries to set Rose up with a blind date and one where Rose and Joe are treated really rudely by Violet.

An interesting new character makes an appearance in this one too. While hanging around the court house, Rose meets Neely Kate who is a smart-talking, connected young woman who has all sorts of information and a psychic grandmother. The two become fast friends.

This was a great second episode in this series. I can't wait to see what adventures Rose has next.

Favorite Quote:
Thankfully, Neely Kate didn't notice and she filled me in on the latest wedding news. Her bridesmaids' dresses had arrived the day before, and instead of teh soft peach color she had ordered, they were tangerine.

"That won't be so bad," I suggested. "Tangerine's a pretty color."

"Brenda, my second cousin twice removed, is a plus-sized girl and loves to go to the tanning salon and is orange." She's gonna look like a Skittle."
I got this book for review from the publisher. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser (from 10% on my Kindle):
So he'd finally given in, filled the tub with salts and hot water, wrapped the knee in plastic, and soaked. By the time he got out, he'd been surprised to find the pain almost gone.
This week my teaser comes from The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose. This is the third book in her Boys of Summer sports romance series. Here is the description from Amazon:
The Boys of Summer are back! In Katie Rose’s sweet, sparkling novel, the newest New Jersey Sonic falls for the woman who’s trying desperately to save his career.

Physical therapist Jessica Hart has learned her lesson: Never date professional athletes. She’s been down that road, and barely recovered after the relationship crashed and burned. Then Jessica meets Gavin King. An All-Star slugger with chiseled good looks, Gavin was traded to the Sonics because he hurt his knee sliding into second, and now his future is in her hands. Gavin’s no bad boy—but he’s tempting enough to make Jessica think twice about all her rules.

Gavin is trying to find a comfortable routine. If he wants his old life back, he must take it easy, stay out of the limelight, and keep his distance from gorgeous redheaded physical therapists. The thing is, Gavin isn’t the kind of guy to sit on his ass and let other people pull his weight. And when he sees something he wants, he can’t help but fight for it, even if it means risking everything, even if it only lasts a single moment: like one kiss from Jessica.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 14, 2015)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
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.

Other Than Reading...

My first week of school went well. The kids were all great, the technology all worked, and I love going home at 1:30. The weather was also great though this weekend cooled off and made it seem almost Fall-like.

I am really piling on the steps according to my FitBit after a really sedentary summer. Due to construction, our elementary parking lot is a lot like a maze. It is easy to see my car but difficult to wind through all the fences to get to it. I also took advantage of getting home early one day to go for a nice walk and another day to walk to the local farmers' market.

I spent some time rearranging my blogging calendar this week and changing the posting dates for reviews I had already written. I got four review books this week that needed to be fit into a calendar that was already full. Moving things around means that I have some books read and reviews scheduled for December and even January already.

Read Last Week
When Gods Die by C. S. Harris is the second Sebastian St. Cyr mystery. I enjoyed it because of the characters and the historical background. My review will be posted on January 7. This was originally scheduled for posting in November but needed to be moved for a review book.

Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh is the most recent in her Guildhunters series. I enjoyed getting to know Naasir better and I loved his romance with Andromeda. My review will be posted on November 25.
Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank is the second book in the Rose Gardner mystery series. I just got this from Crooked Lane Books and really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Rose is such a great character. My review will be posted on September 16.

I also just got Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts from Penguin's First to Read program. I loved this first book in a new trilogy because of the characters, the lyrical descriptions, and the wonderful romance. My review will be posted on November 4.

Currently
I also just got Cast in Honor by Michelle Sagara from NetGalley. I am eager to read this 12th book in her Chronicles of Elantra series. This one will be released on November 24 which means it is the next unread book on my calendar.

Next Week
 I am hoping to read Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal and Play by Kylie Scott this week. These last two reviews will fill up my November blogging calendar.
If time permits, I hope to get to In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler which I just got for review. I am a fan of paranormal romances and werewolves. This one should hit the spot. It will be released on December 1.

I also want to read Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal next week.

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

I began my week by adding four review books to my stack.
 Stars of Fortune is the first in a new paranormal romance series from Nora Roberts. I got this eARC from Penguin's First to Read program. The book will be released on November 3.

Cast in Honor by Michelle Sagara is the twelfth book in her Chronicles of Elantra fantasy series. I got this eARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on November 24.
 I was invited to read In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler. This is the third book in her SWAT series. I got it from NetGalley. The book will be released on December 1.

I was also invited to read and review Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank. I got a finished hardcover of this September 15 release.
I bought The Spiritglass Charade by Colleen Gleason for my Kindle because it was on sale this week. It is the second in a historical mystery series. I enjoyed the first book.

To see what Young Adult books I have been reading and plan to read, check out Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.