Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Book Review: Betrayal in Death by J. D. Robb

Betrayal in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Publication: Berkley (March 1, 2001)

Description: At the luxurious Roarke Palace Hotel, a maid walks into suite 4602 for the nightly turndown - and steps into her worst nightmare. A killer leaves her dead, strangled by a thin silver wire. He's Sly Yost, a virtuoso of music and murder. A hit man for the elite. Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows him well. But in this twisted case, knowing the killer doesn't help solve the crime. Because there's someone else involved. Someone with a more personal motive. And Eve must face a terrifying possibility - that the real target may, in fact, be her husband Roarke...

My Thoughts:  BETRAYAL IN DEATH is the twelfth book in the In Death Series. As the cover states, it deals with betrayal in many situations. Eve is at a party at one of Roarke's hotels when she is called to the murder of a chambermaid in the same hotel. The murder is brutal and was clearly done by a professional. It looks like the murder was done to hurt Roarke. Eve is determined to find the killer and protect her husband.

Roarke is busy arranging with actress Magda Lane to hold an auction of her movie memorabilia to fund a foundation to assist young actors. The memorabilia could bring in around one billion credits. Eve is concerned about the security surrounding the auction but that is quickly overshadowed first by the chambermaid's death and then by the death of another of Roarke's employees who is also killed in a property Roarke owns.

One of Roarke's old friends - long thought to be dead - arrives to visit Roarke too. Mick Connelly was one of the people that Roarke grew up with in Dublin. While Roarke has cleaned up his act, made a lot of money, and married Eve, Mick is still a very charming criminal. Eve worries about what he wants from Roarke. 

The hired killer's viewpoint is also given. He is a sociopath who lives for the finer things in life like opera, fine foods, clothing and wine. He is utterly creepy and terrifying. As Eve hunts for the him, she learns that the murders are part of a much larger plot.

For the more personal part of the story, Roarke and Eve are still adjusting to each other in their marriage. While they are great with each other, they are coming from very different backgrounds and sometimes that takes adjustments from both of them. Mick is a focus that highlights their different reactions. Eve also deepens her friendship with Peabody as she attempts - despite her strong desire not to get involved - to act as a relationship counselor when Peabody and McNab have a falling out. 

I love this series. Each episode deepens the relationship between Roarke and Eve, which I think is one a fiction's great romances, and each finds Eve expanding and deepening her circle of friends which is a sign that she is finally overcoming the horrible experiences of her childhood. Sometimes the mysteries take a backseat to the relationships but, in this case, the mystery and relationships were integral to each other. 

Favorite Quote:
"Mick was important to me, Eve. As close, likely closer than a brother might have been through some very ugly times, and some good ones. I thought he was dead, and I'd adjusted to that."

"And, now you know he isn't." She understood friendship, its pulls and tugs and puzzles. "Would you mind asking him not to do anything I'd have to arrest him for while he's staying in one of the guest rooms?"
I bought this ebook for my Kindle. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Saving Paradise by Mike Bond

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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!


I received Saving Paradise by Mike Bond from Meryl Moss Media Relations for a blog tour. It sounded like an interesting thriller with ecological implications. Here is the description:
When a beautiful journalist drowns mysteriously off Waikiki, Hawaii, Special Forces veteran Pono Hawkins, now a well-known surfer and international correspondent for surfing magazines, soon gets embroiled in trying to find out why she died. What he quickly learns makes him a target for murder or life in prison as a cabal of powerful corporations, foreign killers and crooked politicians places the blame on him. Haunted by memories of Afghanistan, and determined to protect the Hawaii he loves from dirty politics tied to huge destructive energy developments, Pono turns to Special Forces buddies and his own covert skills to fight his deadly enemies, trying both save himself and find her killers. Alive with the sights, sounds and history of Hawaii, SAVING PARADISE is also a deepy rich portrait of what Pono calls the seamy side of paradise, and an exciting thriller of politics, lies and remorseless murder.
Teaser:
So falling for Angie brought me closer to Sylvia. That's the thing about loving, it brings you closer to everybody. Except those who do evil. Like people who build wind "farms." Like whoever killed Sylvia.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 29, 2013)


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

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

Here is what I read last week. Instead of separating the book by adult and young adult, this week I am going to list them in the order I read them.
I read Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton which is the latest in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. I enjoyed it but primarily read it because I have read the previous 21 books. My review will be posted on August 10.

Awoken by Timothy Miller was a YA review book. The short chapters and amount of adventure would make this a good book for middle graders. I liked the characters and the writing style. My review will be posted on August 15.
Blood and Roses by A. K. Alexander was a thriller I got through Amazon Vine. I thought that the massive amount of plot in this one overwhelmed any character development. People who like plot heavy books will enjoy this one. My review will be posted on August 17.

My Totally Awkward Supernatural Crush by Laura Toffler-Corrie was a fun YA about a klutzy nerd who falls in love for the first time with an angel. This one has lots of humor and a sweet romance. My review will be posted on August 17.
Good As Gone by Douglas Corleone was a thriller that I got through Minotaur Books early review program. I liked this fast paced story and I really liked the hero who is dealing with incredible loss. My review will be posted on August 15.

Hush by Carey Baldwin was an eNovella that I received from the author for review. It was a romantic suspense story that packed a novel's worth of suspense into a novella which meant that the romance was less developed. It was entertaining and a quick read. My review will be posted on August 14.
I read the first two books in Dan Krokos' trilogy. 

False Memory begins with a young woman waking up without her memory on a park bench and quickly becomes a fast-paced science fiction thriller dealing with psychic powers, drugs to keep memories from being lost, and cloning. I really liked this debut novel. My review will be posted on August 5.

False Sight is the second book in the trilogy. I got the ARC at ALA. This ramps up the danger and adventure and includes traveling to other Earths. It was very exciting. The only disadvantage of reading an ARC is that the wait for the final book in this trilogy is now going to seem endless. My review will be posted on August 12. 
I am currently reading The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle. This was another ARC I got at ALA. It is a young adult contemporary.

Here are the ones I hope to read next week:
Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon - YA thriller

Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington - Aug. 20 release - YA Contemporary
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - August 27 - epic fantasy sequel to Throne of Glass.

The Sound of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away by Frances O'Roark Dowell - August 27 - third in a YA contemporary trilogy. I haven't read the first two but I got this ARC at ALA.
Cast in Sorrow by Michelle Sagara - August 27 - latest episode in adult fantasy that I have been reading since the beginning.

Love Gone Mad by Mark Rubenstein - ARC for blog tour - book will be released on Sept. 1 but my post is scheduled for Aug. 22.
The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle
The Outside by Laura Bickle - September 3

I got The Outside as an ARC at ALA so I bought The Hallowed Ones for my Kindle so that I could start the series at the beginning. I was intrigued by the thought of an Amish dystopian thriller. 

Reviews I posted last week:

Inside of a Dog

Ms. Martin Teaches Media

On the personal front, I will be traveling back home for a day of testing at the Mayo Clinic on Monday. It looks like surgery for my Crohn's disease will need to happen in the near future. It is my goal to get this taken care of before I have to go back to work on August 26 but will have to see if it can be done that quickly. On the upside, recovery time should equal lots of reading time. 

What are your plans for the week? Leave a link and I'd be glad to check out your blog. 

Stacking the Shelves (July 28, 2013)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

I had another big week. Since I have a couple of long car trips in my near future, I decided to stock up on audio books. Tantor Media has a Bargain Bin where you can buy unabridged audio books on CD for only $6.99. Here are the ones I chose (the title links go to Tantor Media):
Acacia by David Anthony Durham is an epic fantasy that will provide 29 hours and 30 minutes of listening time. (Amazon link)

The Devil You Know by Mike Carey is the first in the Felix Caster paranormal series. I'll be listening for fourteen hours. (Amazon link)

I also bought some books that I have already read because I was interested in hearing them as audio books.
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews is the first in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series. (Amazon link)

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews is the second in the Kate Daniels series. (Amazon link)

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews is the first in the Edge series. (Amazon link)
Sunshine by Robin McKinley (Amazon link)

Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon (Amazon link)

I also stocked my Kindle and TBR mountain with these books:
I received a copy for review of Hush (Tangleheart) by Carey Baldwin from the author. This is a self-published romantic suspense novella that was released on July 6.

I saw Never Deal with Dragons by Lorenda Christensen on someone's blog and had to have it. Paranormal with dragons! 

Everyone was getting Frigid by J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout) last week and I was convinced that I needed it too. 
The Defender by Lindsay McKenna was a Kindle Daily Deal in the romance category this week. 

My two print books of the week were A Cursed Embrace and Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson. I read a really good review of one of them and decided I would read them someday. 
Finally, this week I got Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin which was a Kindle Daily Deal in the Romance category.

What did you get this week?

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Book Review: The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn

The Resurrectionist
Author: Matthew Guinn
Publication: W. W. Norton & Company (July 8, 2013)

Description: A young doctor wrestles with the legacy of a slave “resurrectionist” owned by his South Carolina medical school.

"Dog days and the fresh bodies are arriving once again." So begins the fall term at South Carolina Medical College, where Dr. Jacob Thacker is on probation for Xanax abuse. His interim career—working public relations for the dean—takes an unnerving detour into the past when the bones of African American slaves, over a century old, are unearthed on campus. Out of the college’s dark past, these bones threaten to rise and condemn the present.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Dr. Frederick Augustus Johnston, one of the school’s founders, had purchased a slave for his unusual knife skills. This slave, Nemo ("no man") would become an unacknowledged member of the surgical faculty by day—and by night, a "resurrectionist," responsible for procuring bodies for medical study. An unforgettable character, by turns apparently insouciant, tormented, and brilliant, and seen by some as almost supernatural, Nemo will seize his self-respect in ways no reader can anticipate.

With exceptional storytelling pacing and skill, Matthew Guinn weaves together past and present to relate a Southern Gothic tale of shocking crimes and exquisite revenge, a riveting and satisfying moral parable of the South.

My Thoughts: This was a fascinating book that talks about the early practices at medical schools and current political cover ups when those practices are brought to light. 

In the 1999 portion of the story, Jacob Thacker is working PR for his medical school as he serves out a suspension for drug abuse when bones are discovered in the basement. The bones of those of primarily black people who were used for teaching of the medical students in the pre and post Civil War era. Their existence is a PR nightmare for the Dean of the school for whom the school's untarnished image is paramount. 

The second part of the story tells the story of the early days of the medical school and the black man named Nemo Johnston who was purchased to be the school's janitor, butler, and resurrectionist. He was charged with raiding the black cemeteries to supply the cadavers the medical students needed to learn anatomy and surgery. His portion of the story gives great insight into what it was like for a black slave in that time period. Nemo was atypical in that he was educated and knowledgeable. He even taught the anatomy classes but still did all the menial work too. 

Jacob learns a lot, even about his own family, when he begins to research the history of the school. He has lots of pressure on him to do the cover up. In fact, his future in medicine depends on it. This parallels the pressure put on Nemo Johnston in earlier times. 

The story was well-written and engaging and it was in interesting look at a time with attitudes much different than now. 

Favorite Quote:
The wooden spade slid into the earth soundlessly, worming into the newly turned soil like a hungry thing. Then rose, its blade full, and swung a swift half circle to the tarpaulin laid across the foot of the grave, where it shook its burden gently onto the canvas. Thus began the second coming of Quash Jones.
I got this finished copy for review at ALA. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Friday Memes: The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn

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

This week I am spotlighting a book a friend chose for me at ALA. The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn is a Southern Gothic mystery and thriller. Here is the description of this July 8 release:
A young doctor wrestles with the legacy of a slave “resurrectionist” owned by his South Carolina medical school.

"Dog days and the fresh bodies are arriving once again." So begins the fall term at South Carolina Medical College, where Dr. Jacob Thacker is on probation for Xanax abuse. His interim career—working public relations for the dean—takes an unnerving detour into the past when the bones of African American slaves, over a century old, are unearthed on campus. Out of the college’s dark past, these bones threaten to rise and condemn the present.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Dr. Frederick Augustus Johnston, one of the school’s founders, had purchased a slave for his unusual knife skills. This slave, Nemo ("no man") would become an unacknowledged member of the surgical faculty by day—and by night, a "resurrectionist," responsible for procuring bodies for medical study. An unforgettable character, by turns apparently insouciant, tormented, and brilliant, and seen by some as almost supernatural, Nemo will seize his self-respect in ways no reader can anticipate.

With exceptional storytelling pacing and skill, Matthew Guinn weaves together past and present to relate a Southern Gothic tale of shocking crimes and exquisite revenge, a riveting and satisfying moral parable of the South.
Beginning:
Dog days and the fresh bodies are arriving once again. Always, Jacob feels the old stir of anticipation when the baked stillness of August us broken by their return to campus, these young people crackling with energy in the last sullen days of summer.
Friday 56:
"It is. We named our man Henry. Not very imaginative, I know. I used to have dreams of old naked Henry climbing off the table and chasing me with a scalpel." 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

ARC Review: The White Princess by Philippa Gregory

The White Princess
Author: Philippa Gregory
Publication: Touchstone (July 23, 2013)

Description: Caught between loyalties, the mother of the Tudors must choose between the red rose and the white.

Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times best­selling author and “the queen of royal fiction” (USA Today), presents the latest Cousins’ War novel, the remarkable story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of the White Queen.

When Henry Tudor picks up the crown of England from the mud of Bosworth field, he knows he must marry the princess of the enemy house—Elizabeth of York—to unify a country divided by war for nearly two decades.

But his bride is still in love with his slain enemy, Richard III—and her mother and half of England dream of a missing heir, sent into the unknown by the White Queen. While the new monarchy can win power, it cannot win hearts in an England that plots for the triumphant return of the House of York.

Henry’s greatest fear is that somewhere a prince is waiting to invade and reclaim the throne. When a young man who would be king leads his army and invades England, Elizabeth has to choose between the new husband she is coming to love and the boy who claims to be her beloved lost brother: the rose of York come home at last.

My Thoughts: I was a little concerned when I began this fifth book in the Cousins' War series because I had not read any of the previous books. However, Gregory's writing style sucked me right into this story of Princess Elizabeth of York who was the lover of her uncle Richard III and the bride of Henry Tudor. I was drawn into the worldview of this young woman who knew from the beginning that she was a pawn to be played out as those in power wanted. 

Elizabeth was torn between her mother who was constantly scheming to bring a York prince to power and her new loyalty to her Tudor husband and her own Tudor children. While I didn't at all like Henry Tudor who was suspicious and paranoid, I could understand how he came to be that way. He seemed to think of himself as a usurper and surrounded by enemies (and his actions acted as a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy as he created even more enemies due to his suspicions and harsh penalties). Elizabeth tried to guide him to be a better king but couldn't overcome the influence of his mother. 

Henry's obsession with eliminating any York heir to the throne dominated the book. While Elizabeth's brothers Edward and Richard were assumed to have died in the Tower, no bodies were found and the pretenders were constant. Adding to the confusion, Elizabeth's mother might have been able to smuggle her younger son Richard out of the Tower and send him to safety making the possibility of a real York prince a reality. Elizabeth is torn between her vows to Henry and her heart's desire to have her younger brother be alive. 

The writing was exquisite and the story was compelling. I couldn't stop reading. Fans of historical fiction are right to have made Philippa Gregory's books so popular. This won't be the last that I read. 

Favorite Quote:
"Your side lost at Bosworth," he reminds me. "You are the spoils of war."
I got this ARC at ALA. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book Review: Judgment in Death by J. D. Robb

Judgment in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Publication: Berkley (September 1, 2000)

Description: In an uptown strip joint, a cop is found bludgeoned to death. The weapon's a baseball bat. The motive's a mystery. It's a case of serious overkill that pushes Eve Dallas straight into overdrive. Her investigation uncovers a private club that's more than a hot spot. Purgatory's a last chance for atonement where everyone is judged. Where your ultimate fate depends on your most intimate sins. And where one cop's hidden secrets are about to plunge innocent souls into vice-ridden damnation... 

My Thoughts: JUDGMENT IN DEATH is the eleventh book in the In Death series. This is a re-read for me as I am enjoying the series again by reading all of the books in order. For me, I divide the books into three parts. The first part is the mystery itself. The second part is the growth of Eve and Roarke's relationship. The final part is how Eve's circle of friends is expanding.

First the mystery. Eve is called to one of Roarke's bars and finds that a cop who was moonlighting as a bartender had been brutally murdered. The investigation ties him to a previously blown investigation into crime boss Max Riker and to police corruption in the 128th Precinct. While I don't always remember various mysteries, this time I did remember who the murderer was. It was still entertaining to watch Eve do the investigation as she investigates Riker and the officers in the 128th.

Second the relationship. Eve and Roarke have a fight here because each of them is determined to protect the other. Eve goes to taunt Riker even though she knows that he and Roarke had a previous business relationship and Riker wants revenge on Roarke. Worse still, she panics and lies to Roarke about it. Roarke gives Eve the cold shoulder which throws her out of balance. A cute scene is the one where she and Mavis get drunk together and talk about what Eve should do. Even though this is the eleventh book in the series, by internal chronology, they have only been married for one year. Both of them are testing the boundaries of their relationship. 

Third Eve's circle of friends. Lieutenant Don Webster, now of Internal Affairs but formerly a one night stand for Eve, plays a big role in this episode. He makes a pass at Eve and Roarke beats him up which just compounds the problems he and Eve are having. Dr. Mira also admits to Eve that she thinks of her as a daughter which Eve characterizes as "weird but nice." What I find interesting is that we don't see Roarke's circle of friends but he is fitting seamlessly into hers. Anytime one of Roarke's friends makes an appearance in the series, they are always characterized as someone who was a friend from earlier in his life with whom he has lost contact. 

This was another great story in a series that just gets stronger with each book. 

Favorite Quote:
Into the night, in the dark, he lay beside her, listening to her breathe. He knew the varied and sundry reasons a man would kill. But none were more fierce, none were more vital than to hold safe what he loved.
I bought this one for my Kindle. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: The White Princess by Philippa Gregory

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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!

I picked up this ARC of The White Princess by Philippa Gregory at ALA. I was familiar with her name as a noted writer of historical fiction but I have never read any of her books. Here is the description of this July 23 release:
Caught between loyalties, the mother of the Tudors must choose between the red rose and the white.

Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times best­selling author and “the queen of royal fiction” (USA Today), presents the latest Cousins’ War novel, the remarkable story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of the White Queen.

When Henry Tudor picks up the crown of England from the mud of Bosworth field, he knows he must marry the princess of the enemy house—Elizabeth of York—to unify a country divided by war for nearly two decades.

But his bride is still in love with his slain enemy, Richard III—and her mother and half of England dream of a missing heir, sent into the unknown by the White Queen. While the new monarchy can win power, it cannot win hearts in an England that plots for the triumphant return of the House of York.

Henry’s greatest fear is that somewhere a prince is waiting to invade and reclaim the throne. When a young man who would be king leads his army and invades England, Elizabeth has to choose between the new husband she is coming to love and the boy who claims to be her beloved lost brother: the rose of York come home at last.
Teaser:
I stare at his brown head for a moment and think that his dumb animal grief is just like mine. Except I am ordered to talk all the time, and to smile all the day.

Monday, July 22, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 22, 2013)


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

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

I had a great time this week when my friend came to visit. We watched all of season 5 of True Blood and are already counting the days until we can get and watch season 6. We also watched the first two episodes of Game of Thrones but neither one of us were enthralled. I feel like I need to read the books first to answer some of my questions. When I am ready, my brother has the first two seasons and has already pre-ordered the third.

We also visited two casinos, two restaurants, and did some cooking with my brother. It was a wonderful, relaxing few days.

I did get some reading done last week too.
All of the adult books I read this week were re-reads. 

I read Betrayal in Death and Judgment in Death by J. D. Robb which are the 11th and 12th in her In Death series. Judgment review will be posted on July 24 and Betrayal review on July 31.

I also re-read Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I was listening to a radio interview the two did and felt like reading their most recent novel again. Here's a link to the review I posted in February.  I liked it as much this time as the first. 
My young adult books this week were all from my review stack and are all August releases. 

Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear is a paranormal/steampunk adventure that I enjoyed very much. My review will be posted on August 1.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick was one of the ARCs I got at ALA. This was a very thought-provoking story about a young man who takes a gun to school with him on his 18th birthday with the intention of killing a former friend and himself. My review will be posted on August 7.

The Deepest Night by Shana Abe was a historical fantasy with dragons that was also a very entertaining story. I loved the lush language and the historical detail. My review will be posted on August 10.

Currently:
I am deep into Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton. It may take a while though since this one has 570 pages and lots and lots of really nasty zombies. 

Next Week:

I will be travelling for three days this coming week but still hope to be able to read these.
Adult Books
Good as Gone by Douglas Corleone (Aug. 20 release)
Blood and Roses by A. K. Alexander (Aug. 20 release)
YA Books
Awoken by Timothy Miller (Aug. 13 release)
My Totally Awkward Supernatural Crush by Laura Toffler-Corrie
YA Books
False Memory by Dan Krokos
False Sight by Dan Krokos (Aug. 13 release)

All of these are from my review stack. False Memory was a purchase because it is the book that comes before False Sight, an ARC I got at ALA. I am pretty anal about reading books in a series in order. 

Because I am scheduled so far ahead, I thought I'd leave links to the reviews I posted this past week too.

Inside of a Dog
Ms. Martin Teaches Media

What was your week like? Leave me a link and I'll be sure to visit.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (July 21, 2013)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

Here is what I added to my stack this week. Most of these are books on my Kindle.
Inferno by Dan Brown - Everybody is getting this one. I liked his other books too.

Drop Shot by Harlan Coben - Second Myron Bolitar. I was just introduced to this series and an eager to catch up.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling) - I thought the Harry Potter books were clever and, while I wasn't interested in her first adult book, I do like mysteries and thought this one sounded good. 
The Impersonator by Mary Miley was this month's Minotaur ebook galley.  I thought this historical mystery sounded like fun. 

I am gradually buying J. D. Robb's In Death series for my Kindle and re-reading the series. This week I bought books 11 - 15. 

Reunion in Death by J. D. Robb (14)
Purity in Death by J. D. Robb (15)
Betrayal in Death by J. D. Robb (12)
Judgment in Death by J. D. Robb (11)
Seduction in Death by J. D. Robb (13)
I got my only physical book and second review book of the week - Love Gone Mad by Mark Rubenstein - from Meryl Moss Media Relations for a blog tour.

I also added two inexpensive Kindle books to my stack after seeing them on other people's blogs this week. 

Stardust by Mimi Strong was $.99 and sounded like a fun romance.  

The Genie Ignites by Kellyann Zuzulo is a finalist for an award at ALA and sounded like a fun romance too. 

Those were my additions to the stack. What did you add to yours?