Wednesday, January 31, 2018

ARC Review: Survive the Night by Katie Ruggle

Survive the Night
Author: Katie Ruggle
Series: Rocky Mountain K9 Unit (Book 3)
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 6, 2018)

Description: He's always been a haven:
For the lost. The sick. The injured.
But when a hunted woman takes shelter in his arms, this gentle giant swears he'll do more than heal her battered spirit―he'll defend her with his life.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe's very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path―but for all his big heart, he's never been in love.

Until he meets Sarah Clifton's haunted eyes. Until he realizes he'll do anything to save her.

All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there's no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth...but he'd never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado by her side, Sarah's finally ready to face whatever comes her way.

It's time to take a stand.

My Thoughts: This was an exciting romantic suspense novel with possibly the most awkward main characters possible. K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen is great with orphaned animals but tongue-tied when around women. Sarah is a woman on the run from an abusive brother who wants to use her as a pawn and his entry into a rival crime family. They meet in Monroe, Colorado, where Sarah is living with two other runaways.

This is the third in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series. We get a chance to catch up with Theo and Jules and with Hugh and Grace. The men are all members of the Monroe police department. The women have all been sent there by the mysterious Mr. Espina.

It doesn't take long for Sarah's brother Aaron to catch up with her. He and her potential fiance Logan Jovanovic almost succeed in capturing her. However, Otto intervenes which leaves Aaron in jail waiting for the FBI to pick him up and Logan on the run. But the danger isn't over. Monroe is an isolated mountain town where three-quarters of the people leave for the winter. Now a blizzard is coming and Aaron has called in mercenaries in helicopters to find and capture or kill his sister. They begin by bombing the only two passes the allow access to the town and killing all the ways to communicate. They also bomb a number of the buildings including the law enforcement building and Otto's house.

The struggles Sarah goes through to rescue Otto's animals and find her way to the town were harrowing. Meanwhile, Otto is trying to connect with his fellow officers and make sure the remaining townspeople are safe.

The story is an emotional roller coaster which goes from the awkward romance to heart-pounding terror during Sarah's flight to town. This was an excellent story which stands alone well but would be enriched by reading the first two books in the series.

Favorite Quote:
Otto gave an uncomfortable half shrug, but Sara had stopped pretending not to stare at him. He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If he's spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn't have come up with a better plan. 
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

ARC Review: This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong

This Fallen Prey
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Casey Duncan Novels (Book 3)
Publication: Minotaur Books (February 6, 2018)

Description: In This Fallen Prey, the next installment of New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s thriller series, Casey Duncan is about to face her toughest job as police detective in Rockton yet.

When Casey first arrived at the off-the-grid town, an isolated community built as a haven for people running from their pasts, she had no idea what to expect, with no cell phones, no internet, no mail, and no way of getting in or out without the town council’s approval. She certainly didn’t expect to be the homicide detective on two separate cases or to begin a romantic relationship with her boss. But the very last thing she expected was for the council to drop a dangerous criminal into their midst without a plan to keep him imprisoned, and to keep others safe.

Of course Oliver Brady claims he's being set up. But the longer Brady stays in town, the more things start to go wrong. When evidence comes to light that someone inside Rockton might be working as his accomplice, helping him to escape, Casey races to figure out who exactly Brady is and what crimes he’s truly responsible for committing.

In the next page-turning entry in Kelley Armstrong’s gripping series, life in Rockton is about to get even more dangerous.

My Thoughts: This most recent adventure with Casey Duncan in the isolated and hidden town of Rockton starts with the Council flying in a serial killer despite the fact the the town isn't at all equipped to keep him securely. Keeping him gagged and isolated polarizes a number of the other people in town who are torn between lynching the threat and letting him go.

Oliver Brady is accused of being a particularly brutal serial killer. When his gag is removed, he insists that he is being framed by his stepfather Gregory Wallace who wants Oliver to die before he gains a trust fund that should be his on his next birthday.

Casey and Eric have no idea who to believe but it really doesn't matter since their only job is to keep Brady under control. However, they are having some trouble keeping him safe. First he's shot at while being taken on a walk in the forest and Eric is hit instead. Then, there is an attempted poisoning. Then a fire is started with pulls attention to fire fighting and allows Brady to escape with a hostage.

Casey and Eric immediately organize a search but things get complicated in a hurry. Brady seems to have an accomplice in the town. Casey tries to figure out who that could be but would an accomplice try to kill his partner?

When Gregory Wallace comes to Rockton full of apologies for dumping his serial killer son on the town. He joins the hunt too. While hunting they encounter settlers who are suspicious of anyone from Rockton and hostiles who have reverted to something like savagery. They are also being hunted by a sniper who is taking random pot shots at them.

This was a fast paced, action packed thriller with more twists and turns than your average roller coaster. It seems like everyone by Casey and Eric have secrets that are impacting the events in this story. No one can be trusted. Everyone is lying. I am so eager for the next book because the ending of this one leaves lots of hanging plot threads.

Favorite Quote:
"Does she ever answer you?"

Dalton's voice drifts in as the front door clicks shut.

I wait until he appears and say, "She's not supposed to. She's my Watson."

He lowers himself beside me. "I thought I was your Watson."

"Watson is the guy Holmes talks at. A sounding board to hear his theories and tell him he's brilliant. You can do that last part if you like."

"Better stick with the dog."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

First Paragraph/Teaser Tuesday: Look for Me by Lisa Gardner

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posted the first paragraph of a book she is reading or planning to read. In 2018, Vicki from I'd Rather Be at the Beach is taking over this meme.

Here's mine:
A year later, what Sarah remembered most was waking up to the sound of giggling.

"Shhh. Not so lound. My roommates hate it when I bring boys home. Killjoys need their beauty sleep."
 
Link up here. It is very easy to play along:
  • 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 & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.
Here's mine:
Hector smiled. His whole face softened, the jagged mark on his cheek becoming less menacing, more of a war wound. And D.D.'s heart broke for what she'd have to tell the big guy next.
This week I've chosen Look for Me by Lisa Gardner from my review stack. Here is the description from Amazon:
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner's latest twisty thrill ride, Detective D. D. Warren and Find Her's Flora Dane return in a race against the clock to either save a young girl's life . . . or bring her to justice.

The home of a family of five is now a crime scene: four of them savagely murdered, one—a sixteen-year-old girl—missing. Was she lucky to have escaped? Or is her absence evidence of something sinister? Detective D. D. Warren is on the case—but so is survivor-turned-avenger Flora Dane. Seeking different types of justice, they must make sense of the clues left behind by a young woman who, whether as victim or suspect, is silently pleading, Look for me.

    Monday, January 29, 2018

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 29, 2018)

    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.

    I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup. YA and middle grade reviews will still be posted on  Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.

    Other Than Reading...

    This was a nice quiet week. The weather warmed up for a few days giving us a high of 40 degrees F one day. Now the deep freeze is supposed to return. There isn't snow predicted until Tuesday which happens to be the day I need to get out of the house for some medical tests. There is only a 50% chance so I should be okay. Also all the tests are being done at the same clinic which is about 4 miles from my house.

    I spent a good part of the week re-reading The Others series by Anne Bishop. Even though it was a re-read, I found myself staying up until 4 one morning to finish one of the books. I was up until 2 another night finishing another of them. I think I've finally gotten my sleep pattern back to a normal schedule after a couple of sleepy days. 

    Other than the medical tests, this coming week should be a quiet one too. I'll be working on finishing the review books that release in February and writing my State of the Stack post which requires lots of linking. 

    Read Last Week
    • Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop - reread; Here's my review.
    • Lake Silence by Anne Bishop - reread; My review is scheduled for March 3.
    • Twisted End by Tara Thomas - novella; My review is scheduled for Feb. 20.
    • Darkest Night by Tara Thomas - My review is scheduled for Feb. 21.
    • Hidden Fate by Tara Thomas - novella; My review is scheduled for Feb. 20.
    • The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg - YA; My review is scheduled for Feb. 21.
    Currently
    Collision Point by Lora Leigh - first in a new romantic suspense series. Release date is Feb. 27.

    Next Week
    Reviews Posted

    On Inside of a Dog:
    On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
    Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

    All for my review stack:
    What was your week like?

    Saturday, January 27, 2018

    ARC Review: Final Siege by Scarlett Cole

    Final Siege
    Author: Scarlett Cole
    Series: Love Over Duty (Book 2)
    Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (January 30, 2018)

    Description: IN THE LINE OF FIRE.

    Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

    straight to the heart. . .

    An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…

    My Thoughts: This was a nice romantic suspense title. Mac and Delaney had a relationship when they were younger but the death of her brother derailed it. Because Mac was urging her brother to jump off a cliff into the ocean to try to cure his fear of heights when the accident happened, Delaney blamed Mac for her brother's death.

    Ten years have passed and Delaney is an investigative journalist and Mac has left the SEALS and formed a security company with some of his best friends. Delaney is kidnapped and beaten while following a lead in the Middle East. Luckily she was rescued by some US Forces and taken to a hospital in Germany. She asks for Mac while she is just semi-conscious and he drops everything to go to her.

    Mac takes Delaney back home to California where he gets involved with her in tracking down who betrayed her. The physical attraction they felt as teens hasn't gone away but Delaney isn't able to trust Mac until he finally confesses what really happened when her brother died.

    The two also face all sorts of danger since the whole plot about illegal arms sales being funded by drug money seems to center there in California and have ties to an earlier case the security company handled.

    This was an engaging and exciting story with a heart-warming romance (once they shared secrets) that would be just right for readers of romantic suspense.

    Favorite Quote:
    He looked at her patiently, like she was a spoiled child having a hissy fit and who, given another moment, might calm down on her own. All of which was significantly closer to the truth than she wanted to admit. Her foot throbbed, and the ankle boot the hospital had given her to wear weighed a ton. Her ribs still hurt, and she was bone tired. She wanted food, a shower, and a bed, and quite frankly didn't care which order they came in.
    I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

    Friday, January 26, 2018

    Friday Memes: Final Siege by Scarlett Cole

    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:
    Malachai "Mac" MacCarrick pulled the knife from its sheath with barely a whisper. During his years as a Navy SEAL, most of his ops had been black in nature, with silence a prerequisite for staying alive.
    Friday 56:
    Delany stood and moved close to Mac, a move she probably didn't think twice about, but he knew it had to do with those stubborn-as-shit walls of hers coming down, whether she liked it or not. 
    This week I am reading Final Siege by Scarlett Cole from my review stack. Here is the description from Amazon:
    IN THE LINE OF FIRE.

    Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

    straight to the heart. . .

    An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…

    Thursday, January 25, 2018

    Book Review: Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

    Promise Not to Tell
    Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
    Series: Cutler, Sutter & Salinas (Book 2)
    Publication: Berkley (January 2, 2018)

    Description: A painter of fiery, nightmarish visions throws herself into the sea—but she’ll leave some of her secrets behind...

    Seattle gallery owner Virginia Troy has spent years battling the demons that stem from her childhood time in a cult and the night a fire burned through the compound, killing her mother. And now one of her artists has taken her own life, but not before sending Virginia a last picture: a painting that makes Virginia doubt everything about the so-called suicide—and her own past.

    Like Virginia, private investigator Cabot Sutter was one of the children in the cult who survived that fire...and only he can help her now. As they struggle to unravel the clues in the painting, it becomes clear that someone thinks Virginia knows more than she does and that she must be stopped. Thrown into an inferno of desire and deception, Virginia and Cabot draw ever closer to the mystery of their shared memories—and the shocking fate of the one man who still wields the power to destroy everything they hold dear.

    My Thoughts: Victoria Troy has a problem when an artist she represents has died. Her home has been consumed by fire. Before she died, she sent Victoria a photo of her last painting. She has shared a series of paintings with Victoria all showing what happened the night a cult leader set fire to his compound killing most of the people inside. Victoria and a few other children were survivors when Police Officer Anson Salinas rescued them from the barn in which they were locked.

    Victoria lost her mother in the fire and was raised by her grandmother. She still suffers from nightmares and anxiety attacks. She has trouble with relationships and has become a serial dater. She feels that the death was murder and goes to Anson Salinas to investigate.

    After the tragedy, Anson took in three of the boys who survived and raised them as his sons. Cabot Sutter is one of the men he raised. Together they have formed a private investigations firm. Anson and his sons are all convinced that the cult leader - Quinton Zane - is still alive despite the rumor that he died at sea in a yacht he had stolen. Victoria's questions about the death of her friend add to their belief. Hannah Brewster was also a survivor of Quinton Zane's cult.

    As Victoria and Cabot begin to investigate, they follow clues that might lead them to the elusive Quinton Zane but there might be some other killer involved. They also learn that a group of the women including their mothers and Hannah Brewster had been embezzling money from Quinton and Victoria is supposed to have the key to unlock the money's location. Things get even more complex when a body is found in Victoria's art gallery which leads them to a tech firm which has an embezzling employee.

    To add to the drama, all of a sudden after years of no contact, Cabot's family is suddenly interested in connecting with him. His mother was disowned by her grandfather but now it looks like Cabot was mentioned in his will.

    I love the quirky characters and witty dialog in this fast-paced romantic suspense title.

    Favorite Quote:
    Cabot turned very quickly to confront her. Anson stifled a sigh. Confront was the operative word when it came to Cabot. Not that he was confrontational in the sense that he was always looking for a fight. If anything, he usually came across as unnaturally aloof and unemotional. It too a lot to make him lose his temper, and on the rare occasions when that happened, you didn't want to be standing in his vicinity.

    The issue was that he regarded anyone or anyting new, unknown or outside his normal routine, as a potential problem at best and, at worst, a threat until proven otherwise. The result was that he confronted situations and people until he could decide what to do about them. 
    I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

    Wednesday, January 24, 2018

    ARC Review: Baby, I'm Howling for You by Christine Warren

    Baby, I'm Howling for You
    Author: Christine Warren
    Series: Alphaville (Book 1)
    Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (January 30, 2018)

    Description: WELCOME TO ALPHAVILLE, where the she-wolves and alpha-males play. . .for keeps.

    Renny Landry is a wolf on the run. Pursued by a shapeshifting stalker and his slobbering pack of killer coyotes, she is forced to flee her job as a librarian to find sanctuary in the wooded hills of Alpha, Washington. A well-secluded safe space for troubled shifters, Alpha is Renny’s last hope. But the first person she meets there is a gorgeous alpha male with fiery eyes, fierce tattoos, and one ferocious appetite―for her…

    Mick Fischer thought he left his past behind when he moved to Alpha. But fate has a way of biting him in the tail when a female wolf shows up on his property. Wounded, desperate―and disarmingly hot―Renny brings out the snarling, protective alpha beast in Mick like no other woman he’s known. Can these two haunted, hunted wolves manage to mate for life…even as the deadliest past demons howl at their heels?

    My Thoughts: Renny Landry is a wolf shifter on the run from a stalker who has chased her out of her job and a few towns since. She is trying to get to Alphaville which is supposed to be a haven for lone shifters and other shifters with problems.

    After running out of gas, she shifts and heads into the woods just moments ahead of the gang of coyote shifters who want to catch her and bring her back to their evil coyote shifter boss. She winds up in the yard of Mick Fischer, another wolf shifter. He takes one look at her and his inner wolf declares her his mate.

    The human part of Mick doesn't want to have anything to do with her. He has already had a mate and lost her. There is no way that he ever wants to feel that sort of pain again. However, Renny is in trouble and needs him and his inner wolf if putting a lot of pressure on him to claim her in every possible way.

    Mick soon gives way to his inner wolf but Renny isn't at all sure that they have anything other than their mating bond. She wants emotional closeness and fears that Mick's past won't allow him to give it. It really doesn't help that her stalker is his former brother-in-law which brings up the tragic past he is trying to put behind him.

    I loved the relationship. I loved the way the story was told from both Renny and Mick's points of view. I loved the colorful writing and touches of humor. The romance was intense and believable. The story is filled with excitement as Renny, Mick and the town rally around to track down her stalkers and take care of the problem.

    Great urban fantasy/paranormal romance.

    Favorite Quote:
    Seriously, they looked like a trio of actors trying to outdo one another on an audition for Bad Cop, Worse Cop. It it weren't her life they were trying to run, Renny would have laughed.

    Instead, she just wanted to scream.
    I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

    Tuesday, January 23, 2018

    First Paragraph/Teaser Tuesday: Heat by Donna Grant

    Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posted the first paragraph of a book she is reading or planning to read. In 2018, Vicki from I'd Rather Be at the Beach is taking over this meme.

    Here's mine:
    Prologue

    Long, long ago...

    The smell of death permeated the air, sinking into everything. Nikolai stood next to his deceased mother. He nudged her as he attempted to flap his small wings. His stomach rumbled with hunger as fear took root. He looked around and saw the body of his father not far off, but he didn't go to him.
     
    Link up here. It is very easy to play along:
    • 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 & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.
    Here's mine:
    Ever since the King of Silvers had come to her pub, Graves, and confronted her, he'd been on her mind. He hadn't threatened her, hadn't tried to bargain with her.

    He's simply wanted to know who she was.
    This week I am featuring Heat by Donna Grant. I have this review copy from NetGalley. It is book 12 in the Dark Kings series and the first that I am reading. Here is the description from Amazon:
    He knew her round eyes and the deep shade of brown along with the band of black that encircled her irises. He knew the slope of her breasts, the indent of her waist, and the flare of her hips. He knew the way she preferred to wear muted colors to help her blend in with a crowd. It had taken one look to put all that to memory, but he found his eyes going to her again and again, as if he couldn’t get enough.

    Nikolai is a dragon shapeshifter who knows well the meaning of loss. Orphaned and raised to be a Dragon King, he never accepts defeat. Now, Nikolai prefers his solitude. . .until a beautiful, irresistible woman calls upon him for help—and Nikolai’s whole world goes up in flames.

    Ever since MI5 agent Esther woke to discover her mind taken over with magic, she feels like a stranger to herself. She looks to a notorious dragon, one who has the power to help her find her memory. But as she and Nikolai come closer to discovering what really happened to her, a dangerous passion ignites between them. Can this lone Dragon King help the woman he’s grown to love to uncover the truth about her past—or will a deep and fiery danger tear them both apart in Heat, the next Dark Kings novel by New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.

      Monday, January 22, 2018

      It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 22, 2018)

      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.

      I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup. YA and middle grade reviews will still be posted on  Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.

      Other Than Reading...

      January is just flying by. All week the forecasts have been predicting a snowstorm for this weekend. The beginning estimate was 21 inches of the stuff along with strong winds. All through the week the forecasts kept changing. Now the forecast is down to at most 1 to 3 inches of snow. I'll have to admit I'm disappointed. Of course, I don't have to go out and drive in snowy conditions in hilly Duluth. Those who do are pleased that the storm is now supposed to be well south of us. I'm writing this Sunday morning where we currently have a mostly cloudy sky and a temperature of 29 with a high of 33 predicted for later in the day.

      I'm just reading, doing laundry and waiting for the Vikings' football game this afternoon. After last week's thrilling ending, I can't wait to see what this week brings. I do plan to make a batch of Trisha's Chicken Tortilla Soup this afternoon to have around for lunches, etc. next week. I want to get it done before the game. My brother works 1:30 until 10 PM today so I'll be cheering on my own.

      Read Last Week
      • Murder in Bloomsbury by D. M. Quincy - historical mystery. My review will be posted on Feb. 14. 
      • Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda - YA science fiction. My review will be posted on Feb. 14.
        • A Call to Arms by David Weber, Timothy Zahn, and Tom Pope - on TBR mountain since Oct. 2015, this epic science fiction story continues a series about early days on Manticore. It is a prequel series to the Honor Harrington series. My review will be posted on Feb. 15.
        • A Call to Vengeance by David Weber, Timothy Zahn, with Thomas Pope - from my review stack for March 6 release. Third in Manticore Ascendant series. My review will be posted on Feb. 27.
        • Degrees of Separation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - latest Liaden Universe novella. This one stars a Liaden pastry chef and shows the downside of the clan system. My review has been posted to LibraryThing and GoodReads.
        • Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt - police procedural taking place in Minnesota. My review will be posted on Feb. 17.
        • Written in Red by Anne Bishop - REREAD. Here's my review.
        • Fire and Bone by Rachel A. Marks - YA urban fantasy review books. Celtic mythology, a heroine whose talents come as a secret to her, a love triangle - but an enjoyable start to a new series. My review will be posted on Feb. 16.
        Currently
        Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - REREAD of second book in The Others series.

        Next Week

        Adult Books from my review stack:
        YA mostly from my TBR stack:
        Reviews Posted

        On Inside of a Dog:
        On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
        Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

        Bought:
        Free:
        Review:
        What was your week like?

        Saturday, January 20, 2018

        Book Review: Year One by Nora Roberts

        Year One
        Author: Nora Roberts
        Series: Chronicles of the One (Book 1)
        Publication: St. Martin's Press (December 5, 2017)

        Description: It began on New Year’s Eve.

        The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed―and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.

        Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magick rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river―or in the ones you know and love the most.

        As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

        In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

        The end has come. The beginning comes next.

        My Thoughts: People who were afraid that Nora Roberts's new venture was going to go somewhere they didn't want to follow should be reassured by YEAR ONE. This book is contemporary fantasy like quite a few of her recent trilogies. There is much less emphasis on a man and woman finding each other and going through trials until they get to their "happily ever after." That doesn't mean that there is no love and no romance however.

        The story begins with a New Year's celebration in Scotland when an unknowing, careless act unleashes magick on the world. The magick unleashes a plague that kills the majority of people living on the Earth over the course of a few months. Governments, civilization, and infrastructure all fail for lack of people to keep it running.

        This story follows some of the people who survive.

        Lana and Max are New Yorkers. Max is an author and Lana a chef. They are also both witches who practice the Craft. After the plague begins, they find their powers growing. They support the Light and the concept that magick should do no harm. Not all of those who develop magick feel the same way. There are many, both human and Uncanny, who embrace the Dark. Lana and Max flee New York looking for a safer place to build a new life. Along the way they pick up Eddie and his dog Joe. They find Max's brother Eric and some others who have gathered in a mountain cabin owned by the parents of one of Eric's companions.

        Arlys Reid is a television reporter. She is trying to hold things together and get the News out because she believes in the public's right to know. She has a trusted source named Chuck who is feeding her news he has gathered as a hacker that lets her know that things are much worse than she is being told. When her broadcast partner kills himself on air, Arlys decides to tell the viewing public what Chuck has told her and to get out of town. Fred, her intern who has become a faerie, decides to go with her. They have a dangerous time walking the subway tunnels to Chuck and then head out of New York in Chuck's humvee.

        Jonah Vorhies is a paramedic who has always been able to tell if his patients are going to live or die. He's the one who bring Patient Zero to the hospital. When things get bad, he goes to the hospital one last time to say goodbye to Doctor Rachel Hopman and arrives in time to help a young mother deliver twins. Now his plans have changed, he needs to get Rachel, Katie and her babies, and another orphaned baby out of New York too.

        The survivors of all three groups finally get together in a West Virginia town they rename New Hope and things are going well until the dark forces - Purity Warriors who want to kill all the Uncanny and the Dark Uncanny - find them forcing Lana to run to save her unborn child who is destined to be the world's savior. It left me wondering what happens with the characters I have come to know who are still in New Hope and makes me hope that Roberts will return there in later books in this series.

        Nora Roberts's books always have strong relationships. This book is no exception. The themes of people needing each other and depending on each other and fighting for the good are woven through the whole book. People banding together to form communities are key here. The contrast between the builders and the destroyers is clear.

        I can't wait to see what happens next for this series and these characters.

        Favorite Quote:
        "I have a theory," Arlys began. "Major, monumental crises bring out the best or the worst in us -- sometimes both. And sometimes these major, monumental crises have no effect on certain types. Which means, no matter what the circumstances, assholes remain assholes."
        I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.