Monday, August 31, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Aug. 31, 2015)

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

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

Other Than Reading...

My alarm clock is set for the first time since June 5 and my clothes are laid out for tomorrow. It is time to go back to school. I will be eager to see my colleagues again and get back into a regular routine. On the other hand, I will miss the laid back pace and opportunity to do what I want when I want of summer. My list of things to do before the students walk in the door on September 8 is really, really long.

Looking back over this summer, I read 117 novels easily beating my "book a day" goal. I also got ahead on my review book stack having read and scheduled all my book reviews through October. My goal of lowering my TBR mountain was less successful. I added a total of 165 books over the course of the summer. According to LibraryThing I have 2172 books marked as "To Read." I need to look over my shelves and donate those that no longer interest me. I'm sure I can lower the stack by a couple hundred and give myself some more shelf space on my crowded bookshelves.

Read Last Week
I began this week by reading second books in two series that I discovered this summer.

Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones is the second Charley Davidson urban fantasy. I like this series because of the humor and the unique and quirky viewpoint character. My review will be posted on October 29.

Blood Cross by Faith Hunter is a more traditional urban fantasy. Jane Yellowrock is a rogue vampire executioner and skinwalker. This was also a fast-paced, exciting addition to the series. My review will be posted on October 31.
I finished the week by reading two from my review stack that are each being released on November 10.


Dark Turns by Cate Holahan was a contemporary mystery about a ballet dancer who takes a job at a posh private school to get over a broken heart and a damaged foot and who stumbles upon the body of a dead student. This one had lots of dance scenes and an intriguing cast of students and suspects. My review will be posted on November 5.

The Reluctant Duchess was also a mystery but a major focus was on the romance between Lady Sara Emerson and the Duke of Rossmoyne. Sara comes to Ross when she receives letters that might be written by the murderer of Ross's former fiance and Sara's cousin. They need to work together to answer both their questions about Meredith's death and, along the way, fall in love. My review will be posted on November 7.

Currently

Nothing. I have gotten myself off balance in my reading. I need to catch up on some YA books to get back in sync.

Next Week

If I finish the five YA books I need to read to balance my calendar, I will read When Gods Die by C. S. Harris - the second book in the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series.

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

I added a few more books to my Kindle this week.
Since I finished book 2 in the Jane Yellowrock series, I decided to add books three and four to my Kindle.

Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter is the third book in the Jane Yellowrock series.

Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter is the fourth book in the Jane Yellowrock series.
I was browsing NetGalley and found Tumbled Graves by Brenda Chapman on my auto-approved list. It sounded like a good mystery but it is the third book in a series.
I decided to buy the first two books in the Stonechild and Rouleau mystery series. I want to read them before I get to the third which is on my review stack.

Cold Mourning by Brenda Chapman

Butterfly Kills by Brenda Chapman
Saturday morning I couldn't resist adding these two free books to my Kindle when I spotted them in my BookBub daily email.

The Killing Moon by V. J. Chambers

Reckless by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

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

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Book Review: Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

Total Eclipse
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Wardens, Book 9
Publication: Roc; 1st Printing edition (August 3, 2010)

Description: Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin, her husband, the djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that destroys the magic that keeps the world alive. The poison is destabilizing the entire balance of power, bestowing magic upon those who have never had it, and removing it form those who need it. It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos-and doom.

My Thoughts: This was an exciting conclusion to the Weather Warden series. Joanne, David, Cherise and Kevin set off to try to get Joanne and David's powers back. They need to travel to the fire oracle through horrible weather. Mother Earth is waking up, has reclaimed all the djinn, and is really angry. She is expressing her anger through waves of destruction.

Adding to the problems is the fact that Joanne's powers have found a new home in Cherise who is Joanne's best friend but also a previously ordinary human. She suddenly has vast powers of weather and earth and has never been taught to control them. Kevin is a Weather Warden but he also now has David's djinn powers. He is better able to control them but doesn't waThe nt the powers.

The four of them struggle to travel while dodging massive storms and djinn sent by Mother Earth to destroy them. All along they are hearing from Lewis, who is in charge of the remaining wardens, that conditions are getting worse and worse throughout the world.

The story is fast-paced and filled with action. It is also filled with Joanne's determination not to give up but to keep trying different approaches to convince Mother Earth to stop her waves of destruction. I liked the relationship between Joanne and David and their willingness to do anything for each other.

Fans of urban fantasy will want to put this series on their reading list.

Favorite Quote:
"You two okay?" I left it an open-ended question, and it was up to them whether that applied to injuries, mental instability, shock, or just plain hating the world.
I bought this one on July 16, 2010. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Memes: Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

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 pulled another book from deep in my TBR mountain. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine is the 9th book in her Weather Warden series. I bought it on July 16, 2010. Here is the description from Amazon:
Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin, her husband, the djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that destroys the magic that keeps the world alive. The poison is destabilizing the entire balance of power, bestowing magic upon those who have never had it, and removing it form those who need it. It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos-and doom.
Beginning:
My name is Joanne Baldwin, and I used to control the weather as a Weather Warden. These days, I can also control the forces of the earth, such as volcanoes and earthquakes, and the forces of fire. Don't ask—it's a long story. Just go with it, okay?
Friday 56: 
There was still a trace of Djinn in there somewhere; I could just feel it—even if it was only a memory of power. It made him fearless, and a little bit crazy.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

ARC Review: Broken Play by Samantha Kane

Broken Play
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels
Publication: Loveswept (September 1, 2015)

Description: Birmingham Rebels offensive linemen Beau Perez and Cass Zielinski are inseparable, on and off the field. Cass, the captain with the cowboy swagger, is a loose cannon. Beau, the veteran tight end, is cool under pressure. And ever since they were caught on tape in a steamy threesome, their exploits have fueled more than a few tabloid headlines—and naughty fantasies.

Marian Treadwell knows all about the video. And now that she’s the Rebels’ new assistant offensive coach, she can’t look at Beau and Cass without picturing their hard, naked bodies—with her pressed in between. Marian would like nothing more than to indulge those impulses, but she knows better than to get too close to her players, a bunch of adrenaline-fueled alpha males who don’t always follow the rules.

Just the thought of sharing the gorgeous yet guarded Marian drives Cass wild. At first, Beau isn’t sure she’s right for them . . . and lately, all he desires is a little alone time with Cass to explore their new intimacy. But it’s only a matter of time before Cass breaks through both of their defenses. Because when seduction is the game plan, he always plays to win.

My Thoughts: If you are looking for a kinky sports romance this is the book for you. Marian Treadwell is the new assistant coach for the Birmingham Rebels, the NFL's worst team. The team is made up of guys on their last chance. Some are just out of rehab and others have created scandals of other types. Beau Perez and Cass Zielinski are more known for their YouTube video of them in a steamy threesome than for their football skills. Marian has seen that video hundreds of times.

Cass and Beau take one look at Marian and decide that she's the one for them. But Beau is also looking at Cass in a new way, a way he isn't sure Cass wants. And Marian is still dealing with a thing that happened when she was a junior in college. Her college boyfriend misinterpreted her sexual needs and almost got her raped. It has left her with a fear of locker rooms and a distrust of anyone who might misinterpret her again.

Cass and Beau are willing to work to overcome her fears and that leads to lots of sexy times for all of them. It might even lead to a winning season for the Rebels.

This was a little too kinky for me. I was thinking that my Kindle was going to catch fire from the all the heat in the story. If you like your romances spicy and kinky, give this one a try.

Favorite Quote:
"If you climb into the same bed naked with someone who is also naked in order to have sex, you're lovers," she told them. "I don't care what slot the tabs are going in."

This time both men laughed in genuine amusement. "Tabs B and C go in slot woman, not slots B or C," Cass told her, and it took a moment to figure out which was which. She was not on top of her game today.
I got this one for review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Book Review: Red Line by Brian Thiem

Red Line
Author: Brian Thiem
Series: A Detective Matt Sinclair Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (August 11, 2015)

Description: When a teenager from a wealthy suburb outside of Oakland, CA is dumped at an inner city bus stop, homicide detective Matt Sinclair catches the case. It's his first since being bumped to desk duty for a bust that went south... fast. With few leads and plenty of attention, it's the worst kind of case to help him get back up to speed. And it only gets worse as the bodies start to pile up--first at the same bus bench, then around the city. Sinclair is unable to link the victims to each other, but the killer is just getting started and time is running out on Sinclair's career, not to mention the people closest to him.

With Red Line, Brian Thiem, a veteran of the Oakland police department and the Iraq war, has written a nuanced police procedural in the vein of Michael Connelly, filled with the kind of insight that could only be written by a detective who has walked the streets and lived the life.

My Thoughts: RED LINE was an excellent police procedural with an engaging main character. Matt Sinclair is just back on homicide after a variety of difficulties - shooting a suspect, an arrest for drunk driving, and a stint in rehab.

Matt's first case is that of a teenage boy found dead at a bus stop outside a hospital. The boy was a straight arrow from a neighboring and wealthy suburb. His father is a surgeon at the hospital. Matt also finds himself saddled with a rookie female partner. When a second body is dumped at the same bus stop, Matt and his partner spend hours trying to find anything that connects them. Both cases bring back another case of Matt's. A couple of girls were left at that same bus stop two years previously. One wandered in her dazed state into traffic and died as a result of being hit by cars. Matt was too deep into his alcoholism at the time to devote as much time to the case as he should have.

What this book shows in great detail is the day to day slog of police work - the interviews, the reports, the need to put various small bits of information together to build a case. We follow Matt as he works this case and deals with supervisors who want to force him out of homicide and a girl friend who is a television reporter whose job often puts them in conflict. We see Matt dealing with the long hours and high stress of the investigation and we see him struggling with the desire to take a drink.

Chapters from the murderers point of view add some real creepiness to the story too. This was a well-plotted mystery. I had no idea who the criminal was until Matt and the other detectives figured it out.

Fans of police procedurals will greatly enjoy this fast-paced, well-plotted story. I look forward to more from this debut author.

Favorite Quote:
Over drinks at the Warehouse that night, Phil said, "Sitting at this bar are the only two people in the world who care about finding out who killed this young man. In homicide, we speak for the dead. It's a lonely and thankless job and an awesome responsibility." But Sinclair knew it was about more than just the victim. A murderer could not be allowed to kill and walk the streets freely. When people can kill with impunity, society crumbles. He want to tell Phil how it often felt like they were the only ones standing between civilization and anarchy and how that lonely and thankless responsibility was even more awesome than merely speaking for the dead but was afraid that his partner wouldn't understand.
I got this book for review from the publisher. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Broken Play by Samantha Kane

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

Teaser:
Marian jumped and spun around to face him. She hadn't been paying attention. She couldn't believe she'd let him flank her like that.

"Settle," Cass said quietly but firmly. "There's no threat here."
I got Broken Play by Samantha Kane for review from Loveswept via NetGalley. Here is the description of this September 1 release:
Birmingham Rebels offensive linemen Beau Perez and Cass Zielinski are inseparable, on and off the field. Cass, the captain with the cowboy swagger, is a loose cannon. Beau, the veteran tight end, is cool under pressure. And ever since they were caught on tape in a steamy threesome, their exploits have fueled more than a few tabloid headlines—and naughty fantasies.

Marian Treadwell knows all about the video. And now that she’s the Rebels’ new assistant offensive coach, she can’t look at Beau and Cass without picturing their hard, naked bodies—with her pressed in between. Marian would like nothing more than to indulge those impulses, but she knows better than to get too close to her players, a bunch of adrenaline-fueled alpha males who don’t always follow the rules.

Just the thought of sharing the gorgeous yet guarded Marian drives Cass wild. At first, Beau isn’t sure she’s right for them . . . and lately, all he desires is a little alone time with Cass to explore their new intimacy. But it’s only a matter of time before Cass breaks through both of their defenses. Because when seduction is the game plan, he always plays to win.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (August 24, 2015)

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

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

Other Than Reading...

This was my last full week of summer vacation. Next week I'll be packing up and moving back to my school year home. That means a day mostly spent driving back home, unpacking, grocery shopping, cleaning, and a dentist's appointment. I do plan to fit in reading around those other activities.

This week was a cold one here in Duluth. I was almost tempted to turn on the furnace on a couple of our chilly mornings. But it did mean good reading time. My brother and I went out to lunch for the last time this summer. We hit Shorty's in Superior, Wisconsin, because it had been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This one was a complete success. We were both happy with our sandwiches and the french fries were the best I've ever had.

Also to get ready for the busier school year, I spent Saturday setting up blog posts for November and early December. I currently have 63 scheduled posts and have set up the review posts for the next sixteen books on my stack.

Read Last Week
Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal is the second book in her Glamourist Histories. This one finds Jane and Vincent in France just as Napoleon has escaped from Elba intent on reclaiming his empire. Vincent is kidnapped by Napoleonic forces that want to use a glamour he has invented leaving a pregnant Jane to try to rescue him though she is unable to use her glamour. My review will be posted on October 10.

Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton is the latest in her Anita Blake series and a typical Hamilton book: lots of talk about sex, huge cast of characters, and zombies. My review will be posted on October 15.
I finished the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series by Jenn Bennett this week.

Binding the Shadows saw Cady and Lon strengthening their relationship while dealing with problems like Lon's ex-wife showing up for Christmas, a new drug in town the supercharges demon Knacks, Cady's exponentially increasing powers, and numerous enemies who want Cady under their control or dead. My review will be posted on October 17.

I immediately started reading Banishing the Dark after finishing Binding the Shadows (Can you say cliffhanger ending?). This was an excellent conclusion to the trilogy. Cady and Lon are trying to track down the spell her mother used to create her. They need to reverse it to break Cady's mother's hold on her or Cady will lose her soul and lose all the ones she loves. My review will be posted on October 24.
Nine Lives by Wendy Corsi Staub was a review book I got from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This was an entertaining cozy mystery that takes place in a town full of psychics and mediums. My review will be posted on October 22.

Currently
I am back to TBR mountain for my current book. Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones is the second in the Charley Davidson urban fantasy series. This one arrived on my Kindle this year when it was an Amazon Daily Deal.

Next Week
I have two review books for this week. Both are from NetGalley.

The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen is a historical romance that will be released on November 10.

Dark Turns by Cate Holahan is also a November 10 release. This one is another mystery from Crooked Lane Books.
I also hope read a couple from TBR mountain too. Both of these are Kindle books that are second books in series that I purchased this summer because I finally read the first books in those series and really enjoyed them.

When Gods Die by C. S. Harris is the second in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series.

Blood Cross by Faith Hunter is the second book in the Jane Yellowrock urban fantasy series.

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

I didn't purchase any new books this week. But don't worry that I will run out of reading material. Currently LibraryThing shows me that I have 1501 unread books (not counting unread YA books).

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

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Book Review: What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris

What Angels Fear
Author: C. S. Harris
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book 1
Publication: NAL (November 1, 2005)

Description: It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man-Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars.

My Thoughts: The first Sebastian St. Cyr mystery begins with Sebastian being accused of the brutal murder of actress Rachel York. Sebastian is the only surviving son of the Earl of Hendon and a soldier who recently sold out after working in intelligence. He has been back in London for about ten months being bored and fighting duels. He sees himself as a cynic but we see not-so-deeply buried tendencies to be a hero.

Not having any faith in the authorities to clear his name, he decides to investigate to find out who killed Rachel York and why she was killed. He goes to an old girlfriend - and the woman he still loves - actress and courtesan, Kat Boleyn, to begin his investigation. Kat has secrets of her own but also still loves Sebastian and agrees to help.

Sebastian has no shortage of suspects. Could it be the actor who was Rachel's first patron? Could Rachel have been spying for the French under the control of spymaster Leo Pierrepont? Could it be one of Rachel's well-connected government lovers? Could it be Sebastian's nephew Bayard who seems to have an unhealthy obsession with Rachel?

As Sebastian investigates, with the assistance of street boy Tom, he soon finds that there isn't a simple solution. The more he looks, the more he finds complications involving the politics of the upcoming Regency government.

This was an exciting and twisty tale and an excellent historical mystery.

Favorite Quote:
He couldn't begin to fathom why or how he had come to be named as her murderer. Yet he could place no reliance on the authorities bothering to discover the truth behind what had happened. When a city's detectives were paid a forty-pound reward for each conviction, trye justice was more often than not a victim of avarice.
I bought this one for my Kindle on July 16, 2009. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Memes: What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris

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.

I chose What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris to spotlight this week. I bought this one for my Kindle on July 16, 2009. It is the first in the 10 book Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. Here is the description from Amazon:
It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man-Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars.
Beginning:
She blamed the fog. She wasn't normally this nervous. This afraid.
Friday 56:
But no one would think to set a watch upon the actress who'd been playing Rosalind to Rachel's Celia in the Covent Garden production of As You Like It. the woman who'd broken Sebastian's heart six long years ago...

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Book Review: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

Magic Shifts
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels (Book 8)
Publication: Ace (August 4, 2015)

Description: In the latest Kate Daniels novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews, magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlanta—and each crest leaves danger in its wake…

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Kate and Curran know that separating from the Pack completely is a process that will take time.

But when they learn that their friend Eduardo has gone missing, Kate and Curran shift their focus to investigate his disappearance. Eduardo was a fellow member of the Mercenary Guild, so Kate knows the best place to start looking is his most recent jobs. As Kate and Curran dig further into the merc's business, they discover that the Guild has gone to hell and that Eduardo’s assignments are connected in the most sinister way…

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece.

My Thoughts: This most recent Kate Daniels adventure has she and Curran living in the suburbs with Julie and adjusting to not being the Beast Lord and the Consort. When their friend Eduardo disappears, they are determined to find him. There are also issues with ghouls organizing themselves into large groups and a magical jewel granting wishes and turning people into giants.

Kate and Curran also have to get involved in the Mercenary Guild before is manages to destroy itself. Between them, they own 36% of it and, with their current cash flow problems, it would be quite a loss to them. Besides, Curran is a leader and needs a new challenge. Whipping the Guild into shape would be a good thing for him to do.

Along with all that we also have Kate's father building a new tower right outside Atlanta. Kate has some major father issues and I love the interactions between the two of them. This story focuses on the mythology of the Middle East for its magical creatures.

Fans of this excellent urban fantasy series won't want to miss this episode.

Favorite Quote:
"Answer me this, did you hesitate at all or did you see the giant, go 'Whee!' and run toward it?"

"She ran toward it, " Juke quipped.

"He was biting people in half."

"I rest my case," Curran said. 
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Book Review: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Series: A Rose Gardner Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (August 11, 2015)

Description: For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV is bad even before she has a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, but this one is different. She’s never seen herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered instead of Rose, there’s only one thing that’s certain: Rose is the prime suspect.

With prison looming, Rose realizes she’s wasted her life and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before everything falls apart. From drinking a glass of wine to doing “more” with a man, Rose is well on her way to committing a good number of the seven deadly sins, with the help of her hot and mysterious neighbor Joe. Joe is new to town, and it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty of dangerous secrets of his own.

When her house is broken into and someone else she knows is murdered, Rose realizes that dying in the county jail may not be her biggest worry after all in Denise Grover Swank’s sparkling and romantic mystery series debut, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes.

My Thoughts: Rose Gardner is not having a very good week. She begins with having a vision while she is at work at the DMV. She sees herself dead! Rose has always had visions but they have never been about her future before and are usually about trivial things. She faints after having the vision and is sent home. She goes to her sister's instead because her mother is a cruel woman who hates her and bullies her.

The next day Rose has a fight with her mother. She has finally reached her breaking point with the bullying. Rose storms out, spends the afternoon at the library, takes herself out to dinner, and winds up in the park where she makes a list of 28 things she wants to do before she dies. When she finally goes home, she finds that the house has been broken into and her mother has been murdered. Since the weapon was the rolling pin that Rose used to make pie dough before she left earlier in the day, Rose becomes a suspect.

Rose is in shock when she finds her mother but the sexy new next door neighbor, Joe, is there to help her out. Joe also helps her by repairing the broken in door and repainting the blood spattered living room. As a matter of fact, Joe is more than willing to help her with the items on her wish list. But Joe is a suspicious character who is keeping secrets.

Rose is busy trying to check things off on her list before the death she saw in her vision happens which leads to her changing her wardrobe, her hairstyle, and her attitude. But someone wants something from her and she may not live to finish all the items on her list.

This was a fun mystery with a wonderful main character. Rose dealt with lots and lots of changes with courage and her sense of humor. I was pleased to learn that this book was first written in 2011 and that the author has published six more books in the series. I hope Crooked Lane will be publishing them too.

Favorite Quote:
"So...can I get you anything?"

His question stumped me. I had no idea if I needed anything. My mind felt detached from my body, like I was watching a movie playing in front of me instead of real life. Maybe I should ask for popcorn. I looked up at him with an expression of bewilderment.

He took pity on me. "I'll get you a glass of water."
I got this book from the publisher for review. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

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

Teaser:
I rode through the night-drenched streets of Atlanta on a mammoth donkey. The donkey's name was Cuddles. She was ten feet tall, including the ears, and her black-and-white hide suggested she might have held up a Holstein cow in some dark alley and was now wearing her clothes.
My teaser this week comes from the latest by Ilona Andrews - Magic Shifts. It is the 8th in the Kate Daniels series. Here is the description from Amazon:
In the latest Kate Daniels novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews, magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlanta—and each crest leaves danger in its wake…

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Kate and Curran know that separating from the Pack completely is a process that will take time.

But when they learn that their friend Eduardo has gone missing, Kate and Curran shift their focus to investigate his disappearance. Eduardo was a fellow member of the Mercenary Guild, so Kate knows the best place to start looking is his most recent jobs. As Kate and Curran dig further into the merc’s business, they discover that the Guild has gone to hell and that Eduardo’s assignments are connected in the most sinister way…

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (August 17, 2015)

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

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

Other Than Reading...

This was just another quiet reading week for me. The weather has been unseasonably hot for Duluth with 4 days in a row with temperatures over 90. I am really glad we have central air conditioning and that I don't have to go anywhere.

Read Last Week
I finished reading the Unbound trilogy this week.

Shadow Bound by Rachel Vincent had been on the TBR mountain since August 24, 2012. It was quite a dark story because the heroine had suffered so much abuse at the hands of her boss and was in quite a hopeless situation. It had a great romance. My review will be posted on October 3.

After finishing Shadow Bound, I had to read Oath Bound right away to see how everything played out. Oath Bound was a much lighter read primarily because of the relationship between the two main characters. I enjoyed this one too and was pleased with the way the series ended. My review will be posted on November 18 (my first unscheduled Wednesday.)
I finished The Hollows series this week by reading The Witch with No Name by Kim Harrison. I enjoyed this story and was satisfied with how the series ended. My review will be posted on October 8.

Currently
Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal is the second book in her Glamourist Histories series. I really loved the first and look forward to finding out what happens next.

Next Week
Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett is the third book in the Arcadia Bell series. I had the first two on TBR mountain, read them this summer, and enjoyed them. I bought the next two for my Kindle.

Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton is her most recent in the Anita Blake series. I have been putting this one off a bit because the blurb says there are zombies. I hate zombies! But I still want to catch up on Anita's adventures.
Play by Kylie Scott is the second book in her Stage Dive series. I've had it on the TBR mountain for over a year along with books three and four in the series.

Nine Lives by Wendy Corsi is a review book from Crooked Lane Books. I got this one at NetGalley. The book will be released on October 27.

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

This week was mainly filled with new mysteries. All are for my Kindle and all were free or cheap.
The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan is the first in a new series. What intrigued me was that the main character has high functioning autism. This was free for my Kindle.

Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell was a Kindle Daily Deal. I couldn't pass up getting the 22nd Kay Scarpetta novel for $1.99 despite the fact that I am behind on reading this series and won't be ready for it for a while.
Mayhem in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon is a cozy mystery that was also free for my Kindle. It is the second book in the series and I haven't read the first.

The Detective's Dilemma by Karen McCullough was a Daphne DuMaurier Award Finalist. It was $.99 for my Kindle.
Just for variety, I added The End of All Things by John Scalzi in hardcover since it was cheaper than the Kindle edition. It is the next book in his Old Man's War series.

Back to Kindle cheap mysteries, I added Whiskey Sour by J. A. Konrath. This books begins a series.

I did add two books to my review stack.
Haunting Investigation (linked to NetGalley) by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro was a Read Now selection at NetGalley. It will be released on Dec. 31. I used to read Yarbro's vampire books but haven't read anything by her for years. This historical mystery sounds good. 

The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen sounded good when I was browsing NetGalley. This historical romance will be released from Loveswept on November 10.

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