Friday, September 30, 2016

Friday Memes: All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City ReaderThe 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.

Beginning:
Aurora Teagarden Bartell and Robin Hale Crusoe were joined in holy matrimony on December 8 at Saint James Episcopal Church.
Friday 56:
"Roe," said a familiar voice, in the hushed tone people use in church. "Hey, how are you?"
This week I am reading All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris in which Harris returns to her Aurora Teagarden series. Here is the description from Amazon:
Aurora Teagarden is basking in the news of her pregnancy when disaster strikes her small Georgia town: four kids vanish from the school soccer field in an afternoon. Aurora’s 15-year-old brother Phillip is one of them. Also gone are two of his friends, and an 11-year-old girl who was just hoping to get a ride home from soccer practice. And then there’s an even worse discovery―at the kids’ last known destination, a dead body.

While the local police and sheriff’s department comb the county for the missing kids and interview everyone even remotely involved, Aurora and her new husband, true crime writer Robin Crusoe, begin their own investigation. Could the death and kidnappings have anything to do with a group of bullies at the middle school? Is Phillip’s disappearance related to Aurora’s father’s gambling debts? Or is Phillip himself, new to town and an unknown quantity, responsible for taking the other children? But regardless of the reason, as the days go by, the most important questions remain. Are the kids still alive? Who could be concealing them? Where could they be?

With Christmas approaching, Aurora is determined to find her brother…if he’s still alive.

After more than a decade, #1 New York Times bestseller Charlaine Harris finally returns to her fan-favorite Aurora Teagarden series with All the Little Liars, a fabulously fun new mystery.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

ARC Review: In Safe Hands by Katie Ruggle

In Safe Hands
Author: Katie Ruggle
Series: Search and Rescue
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 4, 2016)

Description: In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder...

It's all come down to this... 

Daisy Little has lived in agoraphobic terror for over eight years. Trapped within a prison of her own making, she watches time pass through her bedroom window. Daisy knows she'll never be a part of the world...until the day she becomes the sole witness of a terrible crime that may finally tear the Search and Rescue brotherhood apart for good.

My Thoughts: This is the final book in the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue series. Daisy Little has been stuck in her house ever since she saw her mother killed in a robbery. She has a raging case of agoraphobia. She keeps track of the world through her upstairs bedroom window. One night she sees what she thinks is a man with a sheriff's department vehicle hauling something out of the for sale house across the street. Daisy believes that it is a body.

Her only contact to the outside world except for her father who travels a lot is Chris who is a sheriff's deputy. Chris has been her friend and her support ever since her mother died. He was, in fact, the deputy who took down the shooter. When she calls the police to report what she saw, she draws the attention of the sheriff who seems to be doing all he can to make her look like a crazy, attention-seeking publicity hound.

Chris gradually introduces Daisy to his circle of friends allowing us to catch up with the romantic pairs from the earlier books in the series. Together, the women put all the various pieces of the crime wave from arson to murder together to come up with a suspect. Then, they just have to convince the men, especially Chris, that they have found the right suspect.

This was an engaging story with all sorts of suspenseful scenes. I liked the way Daisy's world gradually expanded as she opened up to a new group of friends who accept her as she is but, at the same time, encourage her to become more.

Since we found out who the murder was at the end of the previous book, his identity wasn't the new thing in this book. However, bringing him to justice wasn't going to be an easy thing to do since he held the position he did.

This was an engaging series filled with interesting characters and really great romances.

Favorite Quote:
"When I heard that you didn't leave the house, a picture of an Amish grandma popped into my head." It was random and weird. That happens to me a lot."

"Mental pictures of Amish grandmothers?"

"Well, sometimes. But mostly random and weird thoughts."
I got this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Book Review: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig

The Lure of the Moonflower
Author: Lauren Willig
Series: Pink Carnation (Book 12)
Publication: NAL (August 4, 2015)

Description: Portugal, December 1807. Jack Reid, the British agent known as the Moonflower (formerly the French agent known as the Moonflower), has been stationed in Portugal and is awaiting his new contact. He does not expect to be paired with a woman—especially not the legendary Pink Carnation.

All of Portugal believes that the royal family departed for Brazil just before the French troops marched into Lisbon. Only the English government knows that mad seventy-three-year-old Queen Maria was spirited away by a group of loyalists determined to rally a resistance. But as the French garrison scours the countryside, it’s only a matter of time before she’s found and taken.

It’s up to Jane to find her first and ensure her safety. But she has no knowledge of Portugal or the language. Though she is loath to admit it, she needs the Moonflower. Operating alone has taught her to respect her own limitations. But she knows better than to show weakness around the Moonflower—an agent with a reputation for brilliance, a tendency toward insubordination, and a history of going rogue.

My Thoughts: Knowing that this was the last book in the Pink Carnation series, and knowing that Jane was going to be the star, made me a little apprehensive. Jane has been a character in many of the previous books in the series but she was always the quiet, self-contained mastermind who kept her plots and plans really close to her chest. I had trouble seeing her let herself be vulnerable enough to fall in love. I was wrong and Lauren Willig is a rock star!

This story takes place in Portugal just as the French are invading and the Portuguese Royal Family is fleeing to Brazil. Rumor has it that Queen Maria missed the boat, literally, making her a pawn for whichever side manages to control her. The Pink Carnation is sent to try to find her and get her on her way to Brazil. However, Jane doesn't speak Portuguese and doesn't know the territory. She is set to make contact with the Moonflower - Jack Reid - who has been working in Portugal for a few years.

Jane has a good idea who Jack is both from knowing his exploits in India and from her family connections in England. After all, she is godmother to Jack's youngest sister Plumeria. Her chaperone married his father. But the written reports and even the memories of his father don't tell the whole story. Jane learns that there is much more to Jack Reid.

At first, Jack and Jane's relationship is difficult. Both of them are used to being independent operators and, if they are part of the team, they are definitely the leader of the team. So these two strong-willed people, besides not really trusting each other, are constantly butting heads. They do grow to know each other and trust each other through the events of this story which is complicated when the Gardener makes his appearance. He was Jack's boss until he ordered him killed in India. He and Jane also had a brief relationship in Venice after she was disowned by her family.

This story neatly ties up all the historical events. It also ties up the present story line which mostly takes place at the run-up before Colin and Eloise's wedding complicated by the kidnapping of Colin's great-aunt. I laughed hysterically as I was reading about Pammy's cell phone going off at the wedding and her fishing it out of her bodice to answer it.

This was a great series. I hope Lauren Willig does wind back and tell some of the stories that didn't fit into this series someday.

Favorite Quote:
She could be high-handed. Could be? Ha. She was. Autocratic, dictatorial, domineering. But never beyond reason. That, Jack realized, was what made all the difference. She might be accustomed to acting unilaterally, but she wasn't beyond explaining her reasoning, or, when it came to it, admitting when she might be in the wrong. 
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Teaser Tuesday: In Safe Hands by Katie Ruggle

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. 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:
"You're not crazy."

Although she felt too tired to start the argument again, she couldn't make the assurances he needed to hear. Instead, she sighed. "See you later, Chris."
This week I am reading In Safe Hands by Katie Ruggle which is the final book in her Search and Rescue romantic suspense series. Here is the description from Amazon:
In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder...

It's all come down to this...

Daisy Little has lived in agoraphobic terror for over eight years. Trapped within a prison of her own making, she watches time pass through her bedroom window. Daisy knows she'll never be a part of the world...until the day she becomes the sole witness of a terrible crime that may finally tear the Search and Rescue brotherhood apart for good.

Monday, September 26, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 26, 2016)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

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... 

Last week was a quiet, rainy week. I was busy watching the final games of the Atlanta Braves baseball season and the first week of The Voice. I also had an eye exam and picked out new glasses. For the first time since I began wearing glasses at age 10, my vision was better than the previous exam. I am still very nearsighted but just about did my happy dance in the eye doctor's office. Other than driving 13 miles home from my eye exam with very dilated pupils, my week was drama free.

Next week looks more exciting. I will be driving up to Duluth after work on Tuesday so that I can attend the Celtic Thunder concert at the DECC. I took Wednesday off because I had no desire to drive 4 hours back Tuesday night after the concert. I'll be eager to catch up with my brother on new house stuff since I have only had one email from him since school began. I plan to bring a basket load of towels, etc. to begin moving in. To the best of my knowledge right now the only thing in the new house is a lawn chair that I left there on Sept. 3 so that I had something to sit on while I was cleaning.

Read Last Week
Death of a Toy Soldier by Barbara Early was a nice cozy mystery from Crooked Lane Books. My review will be posted on October 15 for this Oct. 11 release.


Cast in Flight by Michelle Sagara was also a review book. This is the latest in her Chronicles of Elantra series and was the usual complex fantasy. I am totally hooked on this series. My review will be posted on October 22 for this Oct. 25 release.

Only You by Denise Grover Swank was a cute romance that begins a new trilogy. It was filled with quirky characters who all wanted a say in the main characters' romance. My review will be posted on October 26 for this Oct. 25 release.

Currently
I am currently reading a book from my TBR stack. Stealing Jason Wilde by Dee Ernst sounds like it will be a fun, light read.

Next Week
I have two from my November review stack for next week.
  • Once a Gypsy by Danica Winters - an urban fantasy coming out Nov. 1
  • Shadow of Victory by David Weber - the latest in the Honor Harrington series coming out Nov. 1 and weighing in at 768 pages
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
  • Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews - an auto-buy for me
  • The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst - a keeper copy since I read an ARC for review
  • Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer - an impulse buy after reading about it on someone's blog
Two more for the review stack:
  • Explosive Forces by D. D. Ayres - I was invited to read this Nov. 1 release at NetGalley
  • Shadow of Victory by David Weber - I got this one from Baen Books at Edelweiss when I learned it was being released Nov. 1
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 24, 2016

ARC Review: Home by Harlan Coben

Home
Author: Harlan Coben
Series: Myron Bolitar (Book 11)
Publication: Dutton (September 20, 2016)

Description: Ten years after the high-profile kidnapping of two young boys, only one returns home in Harlan Coben’s gripping thriller.

A decade ago, kidnappers grabbed two boys from wealthy families and demanded ransom, then went silent. No trace of the boys ever surfaced. For ten years their families have been left with nothing but painful memories and a quiet desperation for the day that has finally, miraculously arrived: Myron Bolitar and his friend Win believe they have located one of the boys, now a teenager. Where has he been for ten years, and what does he know about the day, more than half a life ago, when he was taken? And most critically: What can he tell Myron and Win about the fate of his missing friend? Drawing on his singular talent, Harlan Coben delivers an explosive and deeply moving thriller about friendship, family, and the meaning of home.

My Thoughts: This is the story of a parent's worst nightmare. Two 6-year-old boys are taken from their home and never heard from again. At least, not for ten years. Rhys Baldwin and Patrick Moore disappear during a playdate at Rhys's house. Rhys happens to be a cousin of Win - Windsor Horne Lockwood III - who is Myron's partner.

The story begins in Win's voice as he has traveled to London because he received an email saying one of the missing boys has been spotted. He sees the boy hanging out with male prostitutes under a bridge but doesn't approach because it is Patrick and not Rhys. He decides to keep watch in the hopes that Rhys will show up too. Before too much time Patrick is accosted by bully boys and Win is forced to intervene. He winds up killing the bully boys and Patrick runs away. This is when Win phones Myron for some help.

Win has been missing for more than a year. His phone call finds Myron with his fiancee. But Myron drops everything to head to London to back up his friend. Together they extract Patrick from the clutches of a crime lord with ties to prostitution, hacking, and other stuff. But Patrick is swept up by his parents before Myron and Win can find out about Rhys.

This leads them to begin investigating the crime again from the beginning and leads them to lots of questions about what happened. Aiding in the investigation are a variety of characters from earlier books in the series including Myron's nephew Mickey and his friend Ema.

Myron and Win follow a twisted and twisting path to reach a conclusion that really surprised me. I have only read the first Myron Bolitar mystery and didn't know Win who turns out to be one scary dude with a unique sense of justice. I have read the YA books starring Mickey, Spoon, and Ema and was glad to see them again.

This was a book I found impossible to put down. I loved the relationship between Myron and Win and their clever repartee. I also really enjoyed Myron's relationship with both Micky and with his aging parents. We say a man who isn't afraid to love which contrasts greatly with Win who doesn't really care for very many people but will fight to the death for those he does care about.

This was a great mystery and makes me want to go back and read all the Myron Bolitar mysteries that I haven't yet read.

Favorite Quote:
"It has to end."

"What do you mean?"

"That was Brooke's confession. When the phone rings, do you know what she hopes?"

Myron shook his head.

"That it's the police. That they've finally found Rhys's body. Do you understand what I'm saying? The not-knowing - the hope - has become more painful than death. And that just makes the tragedy of it more obscene. It is horrible enough that you make a mother suffer like this. But this, she told me - wishing, no matter what, that it would just end - was even worse."
I got this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Friday Memes: Home by Harlan Coben

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City ReaderThe 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.

Beginning:
The boy who had been missing for ten years stepped into the light.
Friday 56:
They slip back into Italian, which is fine with me. I don't speak tech-ese anyway.
This week I am reading Home by Harlan Coben. I got this one for review from Dutton. Here is the description from Amazon:
Ten years after the high-profile kidnapping of two young boys, only one returns home in Harlan Coben’s gripping thriller.

A decade ago, kidnappers grabbed two boys from wealthy families and demanded ransom, then went silent. No trace of the boys ever surfaced. For ten years their families have been left with nothing but painful memories and a quiet desperation for the day that has finally, miraculously arrived: Myron Bolitar and his friend Win believe they have located one of the boys, now a teenager. Where has he been for ten years, and what does he know about the day, more than half a life ago, when he was taken? And most critically: What can he tell Myron and Win about the fate of his missing friend? Drawing on his singular talent, Harlan Coben delivers an explosive and deeply moving thriller about friendship, family, and the meaning of home.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

ARC Review: Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron

Body on the Bayou
Author: Ellen Byron
Series: A Cajun Country Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 13, 2016)

Description: The Crozats feared that past murders at Crozat Plantation B&B might spell the death of their beloved estate, but they’ve managed to survive the scandal. Now there’s a très bigger story in Pelican, Louisiana: the upcoming nuptials between Maggie Crozat’s nemesis, Police Chief Rufus Durand, and her co-worker, Vanessa Fleer.

When everyone else refuses the job of being Vanessa's Maid of Honor, Maggie reluctantly takes up the title and finds herself tasked with a long list of duties--the most important of which is entertaining Vanessa’s cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke. But just days before the wedding, Ginger’s lifeless body is found on the bayou and the Pelican PD, as well as the Crozats, have another murder mystery on their hands.

There’s a gumbo-potful of suspects, including an ex-Marine with PTSD, an annoying local newspaper reporter, and Vanessa’s own sparkplug of a mother. But when it looks like the investigation is zeroing in on Vanessa as the prime suspect, Maggie reluctantly adds keeping the bride-to-be out of jail to her list of Maid of Honor responsibilities in Body on the Bayou, Ellen Byron's funny and engaging follow up to her critically acclaimed novel Plantation Shudders.

My Thoughts: Maggie Crozat is has her hands full as the Maid of Honor to real bridezilla. Vanessa is constantly adding more tasks to her to-do list. One of those tasks is housing Van's cousin Ginger Fleer-Starke at her family's B & B. Ginger is a horrible guest who is well-known for suing people. She has made enemies all over the place. When she is found dead in the bayou, it is harder to find someone who didn't want her dead than it is to find some who did. Since Vanessa is one the suspects, Maggie adds keeping the bride out of jail to her to-do list.

Of course, Maggie is also dealing with the ex-wife of her potential boyfriend who seems to be angling to get him back. I liked the scenes that Mattie had with her boyfriend's autistic young son. I also liked the way Maggie adopted an adopted mama cat and her kittens and mama dog and her pups. One of the funniest parts had to do with Maggie's reluctance to let any of the pets be adopted. Lots more humor came from the ridiculous plans put forth by the bride and her mother for the wedding. Maggie had her hands full keeping the plans just this side of tacky.

This was another fun cozy mystery in the Plantation Shudders series. It featured great characters and an interesting mystery.

Favorite Quote:
Lia burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh. You're a helicopter pet parent."

"What?!"

"You know, one of those parents who worries too much about their kids and hovers over them. That's exactly what you're doing with those pups and kitties. Honey, you need a boyfriend and a baby."
I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Julia at Kaye Publicity. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Sarah Beth Durst Guest Post

I would like to welcome Sarah Beth Durst to my blog today. I recently read and really enjoyed The Queen of Blood which begins a new fantasy trilogy. You can see my review here.

Why I'm Writing a Series

My new book, THE QUEEN OF BLOOD, is the first book in a new epic fantasy series from Harper Voyager called THE QUEENS OF RENTHIA.  It is a complete story -- no cliffhanger -- but it's not a standalone.

I do love writing standalones.  You get a complete meal: appetizer, entree, and dessert, all at once.  Mmm, dessert...  I've written several of them (DRINK SLAY LOVE, VESSEL, CONJURED, etc.) and plan to do more (my upcoming MG novel JOURNEY ACROSS THE HIDDEN ISLANDS, for example).  But while I love writing standalones, there's one thing that's particularly hard about them: saying goodbye.  After living in a world and falling in love with its characters, it's so hard to leave when the book is done.

I'm not very good at saying goodbye.  Not even to fictional people.

So I've been wanting to write a series, to sink into a world and not have to leave for a long while. And epic fantasy is the perfect way to do that, because, pretty much by definition, it's large enough to hold multiple storylines with many characters.

I also happen to truly love epic fantasy.  It's the subgenre that made me fall in love with fantasy in the first place.  I must have read David Eddings's Belgariad at least a dozen times between the ages of 10 and 20.  Ditto for Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series and Terry Brooks's Shannara books.  I spent a not-insignificant chunk of my childhood drawing maps of imaginary lands on scrap pieces of paper.

A couple summers ago, I decided that I would brainstorm an idea for my first epic fantasy series while I was at a writing retreat in the Poconos.  I wasn't expecting the idea to grab me within ten minutes of my arrival.

It was a beautiful place: forested hills in every direction.  Each writer had his or her own adorable wood cabin nestled beneath the towering pine trees.  I'd just arrived and was walking up to mine -- marveling at the trees, basking in the bird song, and not watching where I was going.  My foot caught on the step up to the door, and I fell flat on my face.  Cut my lip.  And suddenly the idea for my epic fantasy was born: bloodthirsty nature spirits.

THE QUEEN OF BLOOD is set in a world filled with nature spirits.  But these aren't sweet, frolicking pastoral sprites.  These spirits want to kill all humans.  And only certain women -- queens -- have the power to control them.  Book one is about an idealistic young student and a banished warrior who join forces against a rising number of spirit attacks.

It was so much fun to write!  And the best part is that I don't have to say goodbye!  Book two (THE RELUCTANT QUEEN) will be out next summer, and book three (THE QUEEN OF SORROW) will be out ten months after that.

I hope you'll join me in saying hello to Renthia.  It's a beautiful place!  Just watch out for the trees. They bite.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Teaser Tuesday: Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. 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:
Beads of sweat on Vanessa's forehead combined with her makeup and dripped beige blobs onto the white caftan she wore.
This week I'm reading Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron. This is the second book in her Cajun Country Mystery cozy series. Here is the description from Amazon:
The Crozats feared that past murders at Crozat Plantation B&B might spell the death of their beloved estate, but they’ve managed to survive the scandal. Now there’s a très bigger story in Pelican, Louisiana: the upcoming nuptials between Maggie Crozat’s nemesis, Police Chief Rufus Durand, and her co-worker, Vanessa Fleer.

When everyone else refuses the job of being Vanessa's Maid of Honor, Maggie reluctantly takes up the title and finds herself tasked with a long list of duties--the most important of which is entertaining Vanessa’s cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke. But just days before the wedding, Ginger’s lifeless body is found on the bayou and the Pelican PD, as well as the Crozats, have another murder mystery on their hands.

There’s a gumbo-potful of suspects, including an ex-Marine with PTSD, an annoying local newspaper reporter, and Vanessa’s own sparkplug of a mother. But when it looks like the investigation is zeroing in on Vanessa as the prime suspect, Maggie reluctantly adds keeping the bride-to-be out of jail to her list of Maid of Honor responsibilities in Body on the Bayou, Ellen Byron's funny and engaging follow up to her critically acclaimed novel Plantation Shudders.

Monday, September 19, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 19, 2016)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

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...

Fall weather has really encouraged me to walk. I managed 10,000 steps most days this week. I also managed to take naps many days after school. I'm having a little bit of trouble adjusting to getting up at 5:30 AM so that I don't have to rush to get ready for school. Since I am decidedly not a morning person, this has been something of a strain.

I do like having my afternoons free this semester. I enjoy being able to fit in appointments without being the last one of the day for my doctor and dentist. This week I have my eye exam scheduled and am eager to pick out some new glasses. My current ones are getting rather scratched.

Read Last Week
Death Among Rubies by R. J. Koreto was an engaging historical mystery. Lady Frances Ffolkes and her loyal maid Mallow need to save the reputation of one of Frances's friends and also solve the murder of the friend's father. My review will be posted on October 8.

Follow Me by Tiffany Snow was a contemporary thriller with a unique main character. She is a computer genius who is also has OCD. It was a nicely twisty story. My review will be posted on October 5.
Something Buried, Something Blue by Wendy Corsi Staub is her second mystery set in Lily Dale, a town filled with psychics. It was enjoyable. My review will be posted on October 12.

IQ by Joe Ide was a thriller set in East LA and starred the ghetto version of Sherlock Holmes. Isaiah is quite bright but allowed the hit-and-run death of his older brother to sidetrack him from any plans to escape his environment. He is determined to find the driver of the car that hit his brother and solves problems for people in the area to make ends meet while he searches. My review will be posted on Oct. 13.

Currently
Death of a Toy Soldier by Barbara Early was in my last batch of review books from Crooked Lane Books.

Next Week
Stealing Jason Wilde by Dee Ernst is from my TBR mountain.

Cast in Flight by Michelle Sagara is the latest in this long-running fantasy series. I got this one for review from NetGalley.

Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
I added Barrier Island by John D. MacDonald to my Kindle because, even though I thought I had read everything this author wrote, this one slipped by me.

Follow Me by Tiffany Snow is a new review book.

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 17, 2016

ARC Review: Stalking Ground by Margaret Mizushima

Stalking Ground
Author: Margaret Mizushima
Series: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 13, 2016)

Description: When Deputy Ken Brody's sweetheart goes missing in the mountains outside Timber Creek, Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are called to search. But it's mid-October and a dark snow storm is brewing over the high country. And they're already too late. By the time they find her body, the storm has broken and the snow is coming down hard.

While Brody hikes down to bring back the forensics team and veterinarian Cole Walker gathers supplies to protect them from the storm, Mattie and Robo find themselves alone, guarding the gravesite overnight in the dead of the early winter. And that's only the first long, dark night in a series of them, because as their investigation develops, Mattie, Robo, Brody, and Cole find themselves in the middle of the killer's stalking ground--where the hunters have just become the hunted.

An effortlessly engrossing read filled with tension, excitement, and heart, Stalking Ground, the second in Margaret Mizushima's lauded debut series, will send a chill down every reader's spine.

My Thoughts: STALKING GROUND is the second mystery starring Mattie Cobb and her police dog Robo. This time another deputy's girlfriend goes missing. Robo can't find her scent when her car is located leading law enforcement to believe that there has been foul play. An anonymous tip leads them to the woman's body which confirms foul play and begins their investigation.

Mattie is also dealing with family issues. She spent a good part of her life as a foster child and, while she ended up in an excellent foster home, she is still trying to connect with the brother she hadn't seen since she was a teen. He finally makes contact and drops a bomb during their conversation that makes Mattie reevaluate her childhood memories.

Mattie is also in the beginning stages of a relationship with Cole Walker who is the local veterinarian and the divorced father of two girls. Cole and his family are also going through some readjustments after his wife's abandonment of the family and their divorce. He is a busy father who isn't quite certain how to deal with the emotional fallout the daughters, especially the oldest daughter, are suffering.

This was an exciting mystery with lots of thrilling parts. It also has a great relationship between Mattie and her dog Robo. I liked that Mattie is starting to make more connections with the humans in her life too.

Favorite Quote:
"Did you have a good experience in her home?"

"The best. Thank goodness for that. She straightened me out." She gave him a pointed look. "But I'm thinking of your kids and hoe they must feel. Abandonment issues can really mess with your head. You'd be smart to get the girls professional help early before real problems start."
I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Julia at Kaye Publicity. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Friday Memes: Stalking Ground by Margaret Mizushima

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City ReaderThe 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.

Beginning:
Thursday, Mid-October

A bead of sweat rolled down Deputy Mattie Cobb's face beneath the plastic guard on her helmet.
Friday 56:
Rainbow intercepted her as she started past the dispatcher's desk, holding out a paper bag. "Here's a sandwich and some fruit for you to eat for lunch on your way up, and there's a bottle of water in there, too." Mattie could see the distress in her face. "Take care of yourself out there. I don't want you to get lost, too."
This week I am reading Stalking Ground by Margaret Mizushima. This is the second in her Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. Here is the description from Amazon:
When Deputy Ken Brody's sweetheart goes missing in the mountains outside Timber Creek, Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are called to search. But it's mid-October and a dark snow storm is brewing over the high country. And they're already too late. By the time they find her body, the storm has broken and the snow is coming down hard.

While Brody hikes down to bring back the forensics team and veterinarian Cole Walker gathers supplies to protect them from the storm, Mattie and Robo find themselves alone, guarding the gravesite overnight in the dead of the early winter. And that's only the first long, dark night in a series of them, because as their investigation develops, Mattie, Robo, Brody, and Cole find themselves in the middle of the killer's stalking ground--where the hunters have just become the hunted.

An effortlessly engrossing read filled with tension, excitement, and heart, Stalking Ground, the second in Margaret Mizushima's lauded debut series, will send a chill down every reader's spine. 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

ARC Review: The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

The Queen of Blood
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Series: Queens of Renthia (Book 1)
Publication: Harper Voyager (September 20, 2016)

Description: An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure.

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

My Thoughts: Durst creates an epic fantasy world filled with spirits who are malevolent and treacherous and the people who control them. The main character of this story is Daleina who was raised in a small forest village far from the capitol and the Queen. One day the spirits attack and it is only because Daleina has the power to control them that her family survives.

When Daleina gets a little older, she is sent to the Academy to be trained to use her powers to control the spirits in hopes that someday she will be an Heir or even possibly the Queen. Daleina isn't the best student at the Academy. She barely squeaked by in her entrance exams and is consistently in the lower part of her class. She doesn't feel that she will ever be chosen by a Champion for further training. But her heart is in the right place, she is determined to master her powers to keep her family and the people of Renthia safe.

She is chosen by Champion Ven who is a former lover of the current queen and in disgrace. Together, the two of them and the healer Hamon travel into the far reaches of Renthia to protect the people and to further Daleina's training. When it is time for students to test to be heirs, Daleina manages to secure the last place - the fiftieth - among the Heirs.

The problem in this story is that the Queen has become ambitious and determined to live forever. She has been making deals with the spirits to gain power in exchange for allowing them to destroy and kill. When Daleina and her friends find out, they come up with a plan that will have severe consequences for all of them and for Renthia.

This was an excellent story with a well-developed world and an intriguing main character. I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy.

Favorite Quote:
This was what she loved: this moment, above the world, when she saw Aratay—more than that, Renthia itself—spread beneath her. She saw an unbroken sea of green leaves and, far in the distance, the hit of mountains that could have been clouds or clouds that could have been mountains. There were farmlands beyond that, she knew, and ice fields. Somewhere, an ocean with islands like jewels. But this, this was her Renthia—these forests, these magnificent majestic forests with their tiny villages hidden in trees, waterfalls that tumbled off rocks, sun-dappled groves, shrouded roots that never saw sunlight, thick branches that supported hopes, dreams, lives.
I got this one in exchange for an honest review from the author via Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Book Review: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig

The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
Author: Lauren Willig
Series: Pink Carnation (Book 11)
Publication: NAL (August 5, 2014)

Description: In October of 1806, the Little Season is in full swing, and Sally Fitzhugh has had enough of the endless parties and balls. With a rampant vampire craze sparked by the novel The Convent of Orsino, it seems no one can speak of anything else. But when Sally hears a rumor that the reclusive Duke of Belliston is an actual vampire, she cannot resist the challenge of proving such nonsense false. At a ball in Belliston Square, she ventures across the gardens and encounters the mysterious Duke.

Lucien, Duke of Belliston, is well versed in the trouble gossip can bring. He’s returned home to dispel the rumors of scandal surrounding his parents’ deaths, which hint at everything from treason to dark sorcery. While he searches for the truth, he welcomes his fearsome reputation—until a woman is found dead in Richmond. Her blood drained from her throat.

Lucien and Sally join forces to stop the so-called vampire from killing again. Someone managed to get away with killing the last Duke of Belliston. But they won’t kill this duke—not if Sally has anything to say about it.

My Thoughts: It is October of 1806 and Sally Fitzhugh, in her second Season, is bored with the social life she is living. When she hears that the long-lost Duke of Belliston has resurfaced and society is sure he is a vampire, she decides to investigate. Sally is a wonderful character. She is managing but has a heart of gold. She only interferes when she has someone's best interests in mind.

Lucien, Duke of Beliston, is in need of some interference. He left home when he was fifteen after his parents died in what was rumored to be a murder-suicide with his mother killing his father and then herself. He was twelve when it happened and no one would pay any attention when he said that they must have been murdered. He has come back to England after bumming around the Caribbean for a couple of years and then spending some years with an aunt in New Orleans. He is determined to find the person who murdered his parents.

However, that person is equally determined to get Lucien out of the way. His first attempt is to have Lucien discovered hovering over the body of a young woman who appears to have been killed by a vampire. Sally foils that attempt.

As she and Lucien investigate the young woman they find suspicious ties with Lucien's cousin Hal. Somehow the idea that the Black Tulip has made a reappearance excites the interest of Turnip, Lizzy Reid, Agnes Wooliston, and Mrs. William Reid, the former Miss Gwen who is now more famous as a Gothic novelist.

This one was full of wit and romance. I still want to know why Sally has such a prejudice against chickens. I loved the relationship that grew between Sally and Lucien who certainly had no intention of falling in love.

In the current storyline, it's near Halloween and Colin is coming for a visit with Eloise in Cambridge. Eloise is also presenting what she has of her dissertation to her adviser. Both of them are realizing that they aren't doing well apart but neither knows how they can be together when his life in at Selwick Hall and hers is in Cambridge.

This series keeps getting better and better.

Favorite Quote:
Between the rumors, the note, and the disposition of the body, Lucien had the uneasy sensation that he was the prime actor in a drama whose script was known to everyone but him.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Teaser Tuesday: The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. 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:
Down, she thought.

She sent the thought spinning out of her.

The spiderlike spirit scuttled its legs as if half of them wanted to crawl down and half wanted to reach toward her.
This week I am reading The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst from my review stack. Here is the description from Amazon:
An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure.

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

Monday, September 12, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 12, 2016)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

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... 

The first week of school is under my belt and I have had a chance to meet all my new classes. Everything went great. I just wish the "honeymoon period" would last all semester. I really like this semester's schedule which has me finishing my work day at 11:30 AM.

I am all nicely settled in back here at home. I have begun my purging in anticipation of moving next June by going through just one closet of clothes I seldom wear. I brought a load of bags to the Salvation Army this week. I have also begun listing what foods I have in my freezer and cupboards both to refresh my memory about what I already have and to keep track of what I use. I'm hoping to not buy still another can or jar of something I already have.

Read Last Week
I was offered a chance to read Home by Harlan Coben for review. I happened to be reading this compelling mystery at the same time the body of an 11-year-old boy who disappeared 27 years ago was found finally bringing closure to his family. There were so many echoes between the book and real life. My review will be posted on September 24 for this September 20 release.

I also read Apprentice in Death by J. D. Robb - the 42nd in this series. This one is a "read upon arrival" book for me. The review won't show up on this blog until November 9 but you can see what I thought at Amazon, GoodReads, and LibraryThing right now.

I read A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas which re-imagines Sherlock Holmes this time with a disgraced Victorian lady in the Sherlock role. This was an excellent mystery that begins a series. My review will be posted on October 20.

Currently
I am currently reading Death Among Rubies by R. J. Koreto which is the second Lady Frances Ffolkes mystery. It will be released on October 11.

Next Week
Next week I will be reading two more from my review stack:
  • Something Buried, Something Blue by Wendy Staub Corsi (Oct. 11)
  • IQ by Joe Ide (Oct. 18) - I think this is the 3rd week that this one has been on this list. Other books just keep jumping in front of it.
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
I received three Oct. 11 release mysteries from Crooked Lane Books this week:
To see what Young Adult books I have been reading and plan to read, check out Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.