Friday Memes: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright

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.

Beginning:

"There must be some mistake." Tsumiko finished the solicitor's letter of introduction and rechecked the name of the firm embossed on the heavy gray envelope--Watanabe, Wada, & West. "I've never heard of Eimi Hajime-Smythe."

Friday 56:

Upon learning that visiting the crime scene would require a long tramp through the rough, Cedric volunteered to remain with the driver.

This week I am featuring Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright. This book was recommended by Ilona Andrews and, since I like their books, I thought I would give this fantasy a try. Here is the description from Amazon:

Tsumiko inherits an ancestral home, a vast fortune, and a butler who isn’t exactly human.

Humanity is rocked by the Emergence of a people who call themselves the Amaranthine. They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear. Every newsfeed is clogged with updates about the peace process, but some places don’t concern themselves with worldly affairs. Like the girls’ school run by Saint Midori’s of the Heavenly Lights, where Tsumiko Hajime grew up.

A letter from a long-lost aunt names Tsumiko heiress to an ancestral estate and its accompanying fortune. Only the legacy comes with an aloof heirloom: an inhuman butler. Argent has served the Hajime family for centuries, and Tsumiko must renew the generational bond or he’ll die. Argent hates her for the hold she has over him, but he craves her soul almost as much as he craves his freedom. 

Book Review: Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

Murder on Black Swan Lane
Author: Andrea Penrose
Series: A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Kensington (June 27, 2017)

Description: In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose a cold-hearted killer . . .

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.

An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume A.J. Quill. When Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing. But he has a proposal—use her sources to unveil the clergyman’s clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London’s intellectual enclaves to trap a cunning adversary—before they fall victim to the next experiment in villainy . . .

My Thoughts: The Earl of Wrexford has been engaging in a war of words with the Reverend Josiah Holworthy. Wrexford is a scientist and Holworthy doesn't hold with those new-fangled ideas. When Holworthy is found murdered with his face burned by acid and his throat cut, Wrexford becomes suspect number one for Bow Street runner Griffin.

Wrexford has to put aside his boredom and clear his name. It seems that noted cartoonist A. J. Quill has an uncanny knowledge of the crime and Wrexford is determined to locate him and find out how he knows.

Charlotte Sloane, a woman of great mystery, has taken on the identity of A. J. Quill after the death of her artist husband. She has quite a network of servants and children who bring her information. She has taken in two young street boys Raven and Hawk who help her find her information and run her drawings to the publisher. She isn't rich but the popularity of the cartoons has increased her income substantially. 

Wrexford does manage to track her down and together they piece together the facts that led to the death of Holworthy and a scientist at the Royal Institution. It turns out that her husband's death is also linked to the same mysterious conspiracy.

I loved the Regency setting. I also loved that it was clear that it was a time of great change with science becoming more accepted - although it is still something done by many gentleman who have the funds and leisure to pursue it. I liked both main characters who were interesting people full of secrets. I would have loved to know more about Wrexford and Charlotte's pasts.

The mystery was interesting and both Wrexford and Charlotte brought their unique skills and talents to solving it.

Favorite Quote:

God forbid that a gentleman sully his lily-white hands in business or a profession other then the military, the government, or the church. Charlotte didn't envy the aristocracy. The cage might be gilded, and filled with sumptuous pleasures and glittering amusements.

But it was still a cage.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Shades of Wicked
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: A Night Rebel Novel
Publication: Avon (October 30, 2018)

Description: The Rule Breaker...

Master vampire Ian is unrepentant, shameless…and every shade of wicked. He’s made one too many enemies in his two centuries of existence, including Dagon, a demon who now lays claim to his soul. Ian’s only chance to escape Dagon is to join forces with a Law Guardian, but he's never been able to abide by the rules for long.

The Law Maker...

Veritas’ normal role is police, judge, and jury to reprobates like Ian. But she has her own ax to grind with Dagon, so if she can use Ian as bait...well, all’s fair in law and war. As they scour supernatural hotspots to perfect their trap, Veritas soon realizes Ian’s carefully cultivated, devil-may-care roguish image hides something much more powerful. And Ian discovers Veritas has shocking secrets of her own. As they’re drawn to each other with a passion as intense as their peril, either love or justice will prevail. But each will have devastating consequences.

My Thoughts: Ian and Veritas couldn't be more different. He's a proud hedonist always looking for the next thrill. She's a rule follower, a cop, a judge, and jury to those who break supernatural law. The only thing they have in common is a hatred for the demon Dago who is trying really hard to ruin both of their lives.

Dagon had kept Veritas as a prisoner for years using her ability to gain himself worshipers and human sacrifices. He also tricked Ian into giving up his soul. Ian and Veritas both have reasons to want Dagon dead but he is a formidable enemy.

Of course, Ian and Veritas are enemies, too, until they realize that they share a goal. They need to find a way to work together to accomplish that goal. As they get to know each other, Veritas spills secrets that no one else knows and Ian reveals depths that no one else has seen.

This story was action-packed, filled with wonderful characters including a flying, demon dog, and filled with romance too. I can't wait for the second book in this new series.

Favorite Quote:

"Actions, not existence, define character."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

FP/TT: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

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:

This had better be the right whorehouse.

 

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:

"Come," I told Ian. It was past time we left.

He snorted. "Keep speaking to me as if I'm a dog and I'll either hump your leg or bite you."

This week I am featuring one of my recent purchases. Shades of Wicked is the latest by Jeaniene Frost. Here is the description from Amazon:

The Rule Breaker...

Master vampire Ian is unrepentant, shameless…and every shade of wicked. He’s made one too many enemies in his two centuries of existence, including Dagon, a demon who now lays claim to his soul. Ian’s only chance to escape Dagon is to join forces with a Law Guardian, but he's never been able to abide by the rules for long.

The Law Maker...

Veritas’ normal role is police, judge, and jury to reprobates like Ian. But she has her own ax to grind with Dagon, so if she can use Ian as bait...well, all’s fair in law and war. As they scour supernatural hotspots to perfect their trap, Veritas soon realizes Ian’s carefully cultivated, devil-may-care roguish image hides something much more powerful. And Ian discovers Veritas has shocking secrets of her own. As they’re drawn to each other with a passion as intense as their peril, either love or justice will prevail. But each will have devastating consequences.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Nov. 26, 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...

Here on this rainy Saturday, I'm working on this blog post while my brother is working on our Thanksgiving dinner. He's chopping celery and onions for our stuffing as I type. We are just doing a turkey breast since there are only the two of us. We'll also be doing mashed potatoes and gravy. He has in mind a vegetable side dish with green beans, carrots, mushrooms and onions too. We've decided that the sweet potatoes can wait until leftovers day.

This week brought snow and rain and lots of gray skies. I didn't get out to exercise on Tuesday because it was snowing when I usually go and the roads were covered. I'm a fair-weather driver. I really like to be able to see any road I plan to drive on. I did unearth and set up my treadmill this week too. I walked for 20-minute stretches since I'm avoiding the Mall now that Christmas shoppers have been using it.

I have been enjoying my week of free-range reading. It is nice to be able to pick things off TBR mountain and my own keeper shelves that have been calling my name. I still have one December review book to read. In fact, I've read about 35% of it. Then I decided to switch to something I was more eager to read. I intend to get back to it this week to see if I'm going to finish it.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

• Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright - TBR pile. My review will be posted on Dec. 1.
• Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal by Forthright - TBR pile. My review will be posted on Dec. 13.
• Deadfall by Stephen Wallenfels - YA review book. My review will be posted on Dec. 5.

• An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris - TBR pile. My review will be posted Dec. 5.
• Guardian by A. J. Hartley - TBR pile. My review will be posted on Nov. 30.

• A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn (March 12). My review is scheduled for March 6.
• Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - re-read.

Currently

• Mouse and Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Next Week

• Wildcard by Marie Lu
• The Disasters by M. K. England

• Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Ranhorse
• Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal

Reviews Posted

On Inside of a Dog:

• Deception with an Unlikely Earl by Victoria Alexander
• Fool's Moon by Diane A. S. Stuckart
• Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton

On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:

• Bitten by Noelle Marie
• The Girl with the Dragon Heart by Stephanie Burgis
• Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

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

TBR Pile:

 

• The Substitute by Denis Grover Swank
• Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott
• Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal by Forthright

Review:

• Killing November by Adriana Mather (YA; March 26)
• The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (YA; May 7)
• A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn (March 12)

What was your week like?

Book Review: Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton

Serpentine
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter (Book 26)
Publication: Berkley (August 7, 2018)

Description: Vampire hunter Anita Blake has always managed to overcome everything she faces. But this time there’s a monster that even she doesn’t know how to fight...

A remote Florida island is the perfect wedding destination for the upcoming nuptials of Anita’s fellow U.S. Marshal and best friend, Edward. For Anita, the vacation is a welcome break, as it’s the first trip she gets to take with just wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel. But it’s not all fun and games and bachelor parties…

In this tropical paradise, Micah discovers a horrific new form of lycanthropy, one that has afflicted a single family for generations. Believed to be the result of an ancient Greek curse, it turns human bodies into a mass of snakes.

When long-simmering resentment leads to a big blowp within the wedding party, the last thing Anita needs is more drama. But it finds her anyway when women start disappearing from the hotel, and worse, her own friends and lovers are considered the prime suspects. There’s a strange power afoot that Anita has never confronted before, a force that’s rendering those around her helpless. Unable to face it on her own, Anita is willing to accept help from even the deadliest places. Help that she will most certainly regret—if she survives at all, that is…

My Thoughts: Anita and Micah have been so busy traveling for their various jobs that Nathaniel is feeling neglected. Fortunately, Edward's destination wedding in the Florida Keys with his long-time girlfriend Donna is giving them a chance for a romantic getaway. But work is threatening to interfere when first Micah's job encroaches when he's called to bring an in the closet, but out of control, shifter home from the bar where he is drowning his sorrows.

Then a young woman who has been flirting with Nathaniel and one of their bodyguards goes missing and is found gruesomely dead. One of the local detectives has decided that Nathaniel is guilty and is using a secret psychic power to get him to confess.

When a second woman is kidnapped and she's a member of Donna's wedding party, Anita, Edward, Bernardo and creepy Otto are called in to locate her using Nathaniel in his leopard form as a tracker. They find her but two other young women disappear.  Bringing together Micah's case of a family that believes they have been cursed which causes some of them to grow snakes from various parts of their body and their cop with his secret psychic abilities.

Unfortunately, this situation with the kidnappings and people turning to serpents is almost overpowered by the relationship issues that are going on in the story. Besides the Anita, Micah, Nathaniel drama there is drama between Donna and Edward since she is very jealous of Anita and Edward's relationship. She is convinced, and has confided on one of her bridesmaids, that Anita and Edward are having an affair. The bridesmaid goes more than a little crazy and is determined to tell Donna's children Peter and Becca about the affair. Peter knows that there is no affair but eleven-year-old Becca needs to be protected so that her opinion of the man who has been her father since she was six isn't damaged.

This was another entertaining episode in the long-running Anita Blake series that most fans will want to read.

Favorite Quote:

"If you decide day after day to make good, positive, moral choices, they you are not evil. In fact, you would be the definition of a good person."

"You're saying that she's not evil because she has decided to be good?"

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton

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.

Beginning:

I was standing in the air-conditioned hush of Forever Bridal in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but since all I could see was a rack of plastic-wrapped wedding dresses taller than my head, I could have been in any bridal shop in any part of the country.

Friday 56:

"We're supposed to be protecting you, not watching the show," Nicky said.

Nathaniel paused with his hand on the door to the bathroom. "Can't you do both?"

"Not really and not well."

This week I am spotlighting Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton - the 26th book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Here is the description from Amazon:

Vampire hunter Anita Blake has always managed to overcome everything she faces. But this time there’s a monster that even she doesn’t know how to fight...

A remote Florida island is the perfect wedding destination for the upcoming nuptials of Anita’s fellow U.S. Marshal and best friend, Edward. For Anita, the vacation is a welcome break, as it’s the first trip she gets to take with just wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel. But it’s not all fun and games and bachelor parties…

In this tropical paradise, Micah discovers a horrific new form of lycanthropy, one that has afflicted a single family for generations. Believed to be the result of an ancient Greek curse, it turns human bodies into a mass of snakes.

When long-simmering resentment leads to a big blowp within the wedding party, the last thing Anita needs is more drama. But it finds her anyway when women start disappearing from the hotel, and worse, her own friends and lovers are considered the prime suspects. There’s a strange power afoot that Anita has never confronted before, a force that’s rendering those around her helpless. Unable to face it on her own, Anita is willing to accept help from even the deadliest places. Help that she will most certainly regret—if she survives at all, that is…

ARC Review: Fool's Moon by Diane A. S. Stuckart

Fool's Moon
Author: Diane A. S. Stuckart
Series: A Tarot Cats Mystery
Publication: Midnight Ink (November 8, 2018)

Description: Two tarot-savvy cats and their tenderhearted human outwit a cruel criminal in this animal-centric whodunit.

Most days, Ruby Sparks feels like the sign that says "Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire" should say "Tarot Card Reader Fairly Competent." But as challenging as it is to take care of her half-sister's New Age shop―and her growing menagerie of enchanted pets―Ruby never worries that she's bitten off more than she can chew...until a customer wants her to divine the truth about a murder.

When her own life is threatened with a double dose of danger, Ruby begins to wonder if she's being played for a fool. Luckily, she has Ophelia and Brandon―sibling black cats with a talent for tarot―and a feisty pit bull friend who all lend a paw in collaring the culprit before Ruby finds herself taking her final cat nap.

My Thoughts: I've read a lot of cozy mysteries where the amateur sleuth had a pet, but this is the first one I've read for a while where the pet, or in this case pets, were the detectives and carried most of the narrative.

Black cats Ophelia and Brandon were the beloved pets of Mrs. Hazel Givens, an elderly Palm Beach socialite, until she was found floating in her swimming pool. Mrs. Givens' son is allergic to cats and gets rid of them by stuffing them in a banana box and dropping them off in a distant part of town. Brandon manages to make his escape by Ophelia almost dies before being rescued by Ruby and her pit bull Zuki. Ruby adopts Ophelia and takes her to live with her in the occult shop she is managing for her older sister.

Ophelia joins Zuki, three roosters that were destined to be animal sacrifices but rescued by Ruby, and a giant psychic koi named Philomena. She is determined to find her missing brother but isn't quite sure how to manage it.

Coincidentally, Luciana who was Mrs. Givens' housekeeper drops in for a psychic reading because she is suspicious about Mrs. Givens' death. Ruby does the reading which doesn't confirm Luciana's suspicions but still raises questions. After Luciana leaves, Ophelia turns over a couple more cards that show Luciana is in danger.

Meanwhile, after a prophecy from Philomena and a dangerous excursion in the neighborhood, Brandon is located in a nearby pawn shop. The owner has taken him in. All three pets find their way to Ruby's. Then Luciana dies and her nephew Luis, who happens to own the pawn shop, comes to see Ruby to find out why a message to her was the last thing on his aunt's phone. Then he spots Brandon and wants his cat back.

Ophelia, Brandon, and Zuki hitch a ride in the back of Luis's truck when he goes to the same area where Mrs. Givens lived so that they can investigate. They are pretty sure that the son is somehow responsible for both death since he was mean to them.

I liked the story but felt that the mystery wasn't resolved as completely as most cozy mysteries I've read. I liked the cats and the dog as main characters. I thought that the author did a good job keeping them realistic in what they cared about and noticed.

The ending leaves it open for Ophelia, Brandon and Zuki to have more adventures.

Favorite Quote:

"You ask me, that's pretty messed up," JoJo declared. Poking a critical finger at the bridal magazine page she was scanning, the blond went on. "Ruffles, on top of lace, on top of beading, on top of more ruffles. Seriously, it looks like a drunken fairy godmother barfed up a dress."

"Definitely goes in the no freaking way pile," Ruby agreed with a grin.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Deception with an Unlikely Earl by Victoria Alexander

Deception With an Unlikely Earl
Author: Victoria Alexander
Series: The Lady Travelers Society (Book 3)
Publication: HQN; Original edition (November 20, 2018)

Description: Harry Armstrong has spent years in Egypt, recovering relics and disregarding rules. Now he’s back in England with a new title and a new purpose: penning his exploits. But his efforts are overshadowed by London’s favorite writer about Egypt—a woman they call The Queen of the Desert, of all things. Worse, her stories—serialized in newspapers and reprinted in books—are complete rubbish.

Miss Sidney Honeywell didn’t set out to deceive anyone. It’s not her fault readers assumed her Tales of a Lady Adventurer in Egypt were real! Admitting her inadvertent deception now would destroy her reputation and her livelihood. But when the Earl of Brenton challenges her to travel to Egypt to prove her expertise, accompanied by his dashing, arrogant nephew, what choice does she have but to pack her bags?

With the matchmaking founders of the Lady Travelers Society in tow, Harry is determined to expose Sidney’s secret. But the truth might not be as great a revelation as discovering that love can strike even the most stubborn of hearts.

My Thoughts: This historical romance was really entertaining. Harry Armstrong has spent years exploring in England. After he unexpectedly inherits and Earldom, he finds himself back in England, trying to fill his new role, and penning his memoirs in order to honor a friend who was lost in Egypt. Unfortunately, Miss Sydney Honeywell is already using her grandmother's memoirs to write entertaining and engaging stories about life in Egypt. She didn't expect anyone to think that they were her adventures but, somehow, they do.

Now, Sydney has to travel to Egypt and convince the Earl's "nephew" Harry Armstrong that all of the adventures were hers and were true. Sydney is accompanied by her friends - three elderly, matchmaking widows and a newspaper reporter determined to expose the truth about her.

I loved that Sydney uncovers her adventurous side and that Harry find that being right isn't as important as his new relationship with Sydney. I loved the antics of the matchmaking elderly ladies.

Favorite Quote:

He stared down at her. God she was stubborn. And lovely in the starlight. And annoying. And shockingly appealing. And a fraud. And...

"I have the most absurd desire to kiss you, Mrs. Gordon," he said without thinking.

"And I have the not-at-all-absurd desire to smack you, Mr. Armstrong. Hard."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

First Paragraph/Teaser Tuesday: Fool's Moon by Diane A. S. Stuckart

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:

"It's too hot! I can't breathe," Ophelia yowled. She lifted soft black paws to claw with desperation at the cardboard prison that trapped them. "We're good cats...the old woman always said that. So why did the man do this to us?"

 

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:

"What would you suggest?" Ophelia snarked back at her. "If I could dial Ruby's cell phone, I guess I could put an ad in the newspaper. Oh, wait, no one reads the paper anymore. I guess I could post on that Facebooker thing humans like. Trying to find my brother. He looks like me except he's a boy. and his tail is shorter.

This week I am featuring a new cozy mystery from my review stack. Fool's Moon by Diane A. S. Stuckart begins the Tarot Cat Mystery series. Here is the description from Amazon:

Two tarot-savvy cats and their tenderhearted human outwit a cruel criminal in this animal-centric whodunit.

Most days, Ruby Sparks feels like the sign that says "Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire" should say "Tarot Card Reader Fairly Competent." But as challenging as it is to take care of her half-sister's New Age shop―and her growing menagerie of enchanted pets―Ruby never worries that she's bitten off more than she can chew...until a customer wants her to divine the truth about a murder.

When her own life is threatened with a double dose of danger, Ruby begins to wonder if she's being played for a fool. Luckily, she has Ophelia and Brandon―sibling black cats with a talent for tarot―and a feisty pit bull friend who all lend a paw in collaring the culprit before Ruby finds herself taking her final cat nap.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Nov. 19, 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 quiet week as Duluth settles into winter. We have snow but not very much. It has all melted from out south-facing driveway but lingers in shaded, grassy areas. The temperatures have have been cold but we are expected some warming (which means temperatures in the 30s) for Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

I have been getting out every day but Sunday for exercising and additional walking. With these reasons to leave home, I have finally surpassed 2000 miles on the car I bought October 2017. As long as the roads stay clear, my new pattern should continue.

I have been making some changes on my blog. For years, I've set up my calendar at least a month in advance and then read what was on my calendar. This week I removed everything from my YA December calendar except for review books. I am still going to read what I put on my calendar for adult books in December. When it comes time for January, I'm going to leave lots of blanks around the review books I have chosen so that I can do some impulse reading from my massive TBR mountain. This will likely mean that I won't be posting three book reviews a week on my YA blog since I have fewer books I'm excited to read in that genre.

I should also go through my physical stacks of both YA and adult books and remove books that I'm no longer interested in reading. The problem is that I don't have a way to get rid of books I no longer want to read. I have too many to drop off at the various Little Free Libraries in Duluth. I could turn them in at used bookstores but that will just give me credit that I never end up using. I could also donate books for the Friends of the Library annual sale that our public library sponsors each year but don't know how to do that in Duluth. I have offered my YA titles to the high school where I attended but haven't heard back from the librarian. I was thinking of shipping them off to the library where I used to work but the shipping costs are daunting.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

• Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost - urban fantasy from my TBR pile. My review will be posted on Nov. 28.
• The Girl with the Dragon Heart by Stephanie Burgis - middle grade fantasy from my TBR pile. My review will be posted on Nov. 23.
• Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo - YA fantasy from my TBR pile. My review will be posted on Nov. 21.

• Lake Silence by Anne Bishop - urban fantasy from my Keeper shelves; reread. I reviewed this one March 3, 2018 and have read it quite a few times since.
• Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose - historical mystery from my TBR pile. My review will be posted on Nov. 29.
• Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose - historical mystery purchased this week and sequel to Murder on Black Swan Lane. My review will be posted on Dec. 12.

Currently

• Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright

Next Week

• Deadfall by Stephen Wallenfels (Dec. 11)
• The Disasters by M. K. England (Dec.18)

Reviews Posted

On Inside of a Dog:

• In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon
• Fatal Festival Days by Jamie M. Blair
• Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:

• Warcross by Maire Lu
• The Once and Future Geek by Mari Mancusi
• Sadie by Courtney Summers

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

TBR Pile:

• Seasons of Sorcery: A Fantasy Anthology
• Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose

• Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose - second Wrexford and Sloane mystery.

Review (Two from favorite authors):

• Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz (Jan. 8)
• Secrets Never Die by Melinda Leigh (March 19)

What was your week like?

ARC Review: Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

Lies Sleeping
Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Series: Rivers of London (Book 7)
Publication: DAW (November 20, 2018)

Description: The seventh book of the bestselling Rivers of London urban fantasy series returns to the adventures of Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, as he solves magical crimes in the city of London.

The Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring him to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that the Faceless Man, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London's two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter's going to need help from his former best friend and colleague--Lesley May--who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch....

My Thoughts: This seventh book in the Rivers of London series feels like an episode that brings a number of plot threads to a conclusion. Having read only the first of the series before this one, it took a little while to catch on to what was happening as the Faceless Man, sometimes known as Martin Chorley, is bringing his long term plan for something to come to fruition.

Peter has risen in rank to Detective Constable and has also greatly increased his skill at magic. He hasn't lost his irreverent viewpoint and his ability to make snarky comments. The fellow officer he was crushing on in book 1 has turned to evil and a character he met there - one of London's rivers - has become his girlfriend.

This plot is filled with the police investigating to try to find out what Chorley's long-term plot is and to thwart it if at all possible. Peter seems to have a knack for causing confusion among his enemies and gets his chance to do so more than once in this story.

I liked all the magical characters. I liked Peter's personality. I do plan to catch up on the books I missed because this world is engaging and imaginative. I'm even getting better at all the British slang which almost required a trip to Google to find out what some of it meant.

People who have been following along with this series won't want to miss this exciting episode. New readers, in my experience, will also enjoy the story.

Favorite Quote:

The police don't like to be policed any more than your average member of the public does. But I've had more experience being investigated than most officers my age and have learned to sit still, be polite and give short, precise answers to any questions. Do not get clever, do not volunteer information and do not offer a helpful critique of your questioner's interview technique - no matter how justified it might be.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

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.

Beginning:

His name was Richard Williams and he worked in public relations. Despite living in a nice Edwardian semi in Chiswick, his family were originally from Fulwood, Sheffield, and had enough readies to semd him to Birkdale School as a day boy. Thus allowing him to get both and expensive education and a home cooked meal. 

Friday 56:

I checked in the next morning to see if we knew the whereabouts of Zachary Palmer, the demi-monde's very own go-to guy for ducking and diving, bar work, fixing and general dishonesty. Due to a lucrative consultation contract with Crossrail, currently worth three hundred large a year, he didn't actually have to do any ducking and diving. That he still fiddled his change and sold dodgy goods on the Portobello Road while the money piled up in a law interest building society account seemd to wind up Seawoll no end. 

This week I am featuring a new arrival on my review stack. Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch is the seventh book in the Rivers of London urban fantasy series. Here is the description from Amazon:

The seventh book of the bestselling Rivers of London urban fantasy series returns to the adventures of Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, as he solves magical crimes in the city of London.

The Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring him to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that the Faceless Man, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London's two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter's going to need help from his former best friend and colleague--Lesley May--who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch....