Saturday, September 30, 2017

ARC Review: The Wicked Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

The Wicked Billionaire
Author: Jackie Ashenden
Series: The Tate Brothers (Book 2)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 3, 2017)

Description: The Tate Brothers were once orphans and they have been raised to do one thing only: protect what is theirs.

As a trained sniper and Navy SEAL, Lucas Tate found the courage to distance himself from the wealthy, wicked patriarch who adopted him. Instead, he’s devoted his life to the elite band of brothers from his unit. So when the widow of one of his former comrades finds herself in apparent danger, Lucas makes it his job to protect her against all enemies. . .and not let her out of his sights.

Grace Riley feels overwhelmed by Lucas's presence, but the cold-eyed marksman will do anything to keep her safe. Soon the special attention he pays her becomes a wild romantic distraction―one that troubles Grace, since Lucas was so close to her deceased husband. Still, how can she resist Lucas’s intense, ice-blue stare? All she knows is that a life without strong, passionate Lucas is one not worth living. Can Lucas can find a way to honor his former brother-in-arms by saving Grace. . .and loving her, too?

My Thoughts: This romance was intense but I had some problems with the main characters. Lucas Tate is a Navy SEAL sniper who was adopted as a child by a billionaire. Now his father is dead and, according to a letter left to him by his father, he needs to protect a young widow who has gotten in the way of illegal arms dealers.

Grace Riley is the widow of Lucas's only friend. However, before his death, the friend got involved in the illegal arms trade. He took the money but failed to deliver the goods leaving Grace on the hook for them. Grace is mourning her husband but she is also focused completely on her art career. After a lifetime of being belittled by her father - a failed artist, she has a lot of insecurity both about her ability as an artist and her appearance. She has an obsessive desire to prove herself as an artist and disprove what her now deceased father said about her.

Grace doesn't want to deal with Lucas who is the most beautiful person she has ever met but who is also the coldest. Lucas was taught by his father to suppress all of his emotions and to remain distant from people in order to control his anger issues. This works fine for a sniper but isn't really conducive to a romance.

For the first half of this book I was convinced that both characters needed therapy more than they needed a romance. However, once they were living together and the reasons for Lucas's coldness and dispassion were revealed, I began to feel more sympathy for him.

The suspense part of this story definitely took a back seat to the major relationship issues in this romantic suspense title. Perhaps some of the questions I had about the overall plot relating to the family enemy were answered in the first book in this series, which I have not read.

Fans of the first book or fans who like very tortured heroes will enjoy this romantic suspense title.

Favorite Quote:
Lucas didn't like her. In fact, every single time he met her he found himself thinking about exactly how much he didn't like her. It wasn't anything specific, there was just something about her that rubbed him the wrong way.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 29, 2017

Friday Memes: The Wicked Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

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

Beginning:
If there was one thing that Lucas Tate fervently wished it was that wherever his father had gone to after he'd died it was Hell and that he was currently burning in it.
Friday 56:
"So, tell me the truth then. Why were you afraid of me last night?"

Jesus, he was relentless.
This week I am reading The Wicked Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden. I got this romance from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:
The Tate Brothers were once orphans and they have been raised to do one thing only: protect what is theirs.

As a trained sniper and Navy SEAL, Lucas Tate found the courage to distance himself from the wealthy, wicked patriarch who adopted him. Instead, he’s devoted his life to the elite band of brothers from his unit. So when the widow of one of his former comrades finds herself in apparent danger, Lucas makes it his job to protect her against all enemies. . .and not let her out of his sights.

Grace Riley feels overwhelmed by Lucas's presence, but the cold-eyed marksman will do anything to keep her safe. Soon the special attention he pays her becomes a wild romantic distraction―one that troubles Grace, since Lucas was so close to her deceased husband. Still, how can she resist Lucas’s intense, ice-blue stare? All she knows is that a life without strong, passionate Lucas is one not worth living. Can Lucas can find a way to honor his former brother-in-arms by saving Grace. . .and loving her, too?

Thursday, September 28, 2017

ARC Review: Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh

Her Last Goodbye
Author: Melinda Leigh
Series: Morgan Dane (Book 2)
Publication: Montlake Romance (September 26, 2017)

Description: Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s Morgan Dane series continues as the fearless attorney and her partner, investigator Lance Kruger, take on a disturbing disappearance…

Young mother Chelsea Clark leaves the house for a girls’ night out…and vanishes. Her family knows she would never voluntarily leave her two small children. Her desperate husband—also the prime suspect—hires Morgan to find his wife and prove his innocence.

As a single mother, Morgan sympathizes with Chelsea’s family and is determined to find her. She teams up with private investigator Lance Kruger. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier their investigation gets. When Morgan is stalked by a violent predator, everything—and everyone—she holds dear is in grave danger.

Now, Morgan must track down a deranged criminal to protect her own family…but she won’t need to leave home to find him. She’s his next target.

My Thoughts: Leigh has written another engaging and heart-pounding thriller in HER LAST GOODBYE. Morgan Dane is establishing herself as an independent lawyer with an office in Sharp Investigations who employs former police officer Lance Kruger. Morgan is still adjusting to her new life. She is finally able to see past the grief that consumed her with the death of her husband two years earlier when he was deployed. She is busy taking care of her three young daughters and worrying about her aging grandfather. She and Lance are starting a romance but both are so busy that it is progressing slowly.

When Tim Clark comes to hire her and the Sharp Investigations to find his missing wife, a new case begins that puts Morgan and Lance in grave danger. Tim feels that the police are so fixated on him as a suspect in his wife Chelsea's disappearance that they aren't looking anywhere else. Morgan sympathizes with the young father who doesn't know what has happened to his wife. Lance, whose own father disappeared when he was eleven, wants to find Chelsea so that her family doesn't have the years of uncertainty that he had.

The two investigate neighbors, Chelsea's work colleagues and friends, and Tim's work colleagues which gives them a pool of suspects. They also discover that Chelsea had her car worked on at a automotive shop where a level 3 sex offender works. While they investigate, they also have to deal with a sheriff who isn't at all in favor of independent investigators getting in the way of his officers.

Chapters from the kidnappers point of view add to the suspense in this title and really ramp up the creepy. What happens to Chelsea sent chills up my spine.

Fans of suspense stories with some very realistic romance will enjoy this second Morgan Dane adventure.

Favorite Quote:
She pulled a blue, flowered scarf from her massive purse, in which she seemed to keep everything but a side of beef. She tied the scarf in a fancy knot around her throat to cover the bruises. But he knew they were there.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

ARC Review: Enigma by Catherine Coulter

Enigma
Author: Catherine Coulter
Series: An FBI Thriller (Book 21)
Publication: Gallery Books (September 12, 2017)

Description: The highly anticipated twenty-first FBI thriller by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter presents Agents Savich and Sherlock with two baffling mysteries. Working with Agent Cam Wittier (Insidious) and New York-based former Special Forces agent Jack Cabot, they must race against the clock to catch an international criminal and solve the enigma of the man called John Doe.

When Agent Dillon Savich saves Kara Moody from a seemingly crazy man, he doesn’t realize he will soon be facing a scientist who wants to live forever and is using “John Doe” to help him. But when the scientist, Lister Maddox, loses him, he ups the stakes and targets another to take his experiments to the next level.

It’s a race against time literally as Savich and Sherlock rush to stop him and save both present and future victims of his experiments. In the meantime, Cam Wittier and Jack Cabot must track a violent criminal through the Daniel Boone National Forest. When he escapes through a daring rescue, the agents have to find out who set his escape in motion and how it all ties into the murder of Mia Prevost, the girlfriend of the president’s Chief of Staff’s only son, Saxton Hainny. It’s international intrigue at the highest levels and they know they have to succeed or national security is compromised.

My Thoughts: This was a nicely twisty mystery that brought back favorite characters and introduced new ones too. Savich is called by a neighbor when an expectant woman named Kara's home is invaded by a man who is drugged or delirious. Savich saves her and takes both of them to the hospital where Kara delivers a baby boy and the invader is in a coma.

Meanwhile, Jack Cabot and Cam Wittier are on the track of Liam Hennessey who is a bank robber who has managed to escape from custody in disappear into the Daniel Boone National Forest with two unknowns. While they are trying to track him down, Ruth and Ollie are busy interviewing the lawyer who convinced him to take the plea deal and who was his only visitor in jail.

Sherlock and Savich are also investigating the owners of the safe deposit boxes that were emptied during the bank robbery.  When tracking down one of the owners they learn that she might be a witness in a murder case. The girl friend of the president's adviser's son was murdered and the son could be a suspect.

When Kara's son Alex is kidnapped from the hospital one day after he is born, Savich and Sherlock have a new twist to their case.

There are other plot threads too which are woven into an intriguing and suspenseful mystery. This book kept me reading because I just had to know how all the different plot threads twisted together and how they would all be resolved. Fans of the Sherlock and Savich books won't want to miss this newest episode.

Favorite Quote:
Then Cam looked past him at the tiny single-engine airplane, shocked at how small the propeller was, small enough to stir her guacamole with the blade. She was surprised to feel her stomach churn like a greasy ball. 
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Adult and Young Adult Teasers (Sept. 26)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. 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 on Inside of a Dog:
She rolled to her side, coming up against a metal bar. The bed was not familiar. Neither was the silence.

Where am I?
-- Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh







Teaser on Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
"they made it," says Virginia.

"of course," I say. systems do what they're designed to do. it's people who are more complicated.
-- Satellite by Nick Lake

Monday, September 25, 2017

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 25, 2017)

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 pretty ordinary week for the start of Fall. Air conditioning one day, heat the next. We are in a "hurry up and wait" phase with the Locust Street house sale. There are still a couple of things to do before we can close.

My townhouse in Eyota has made little progress. The realtor is planning an ad blitz and a couple of Open Houses to try to drum up some interest.

This coming week will see the electricians here to run power to the new garage. Otherwise the week should be quiet. My brother works through both lunch and dinner every day he works leaving it up to me to cook for myself and leave leftovers for him. He has Tuesday and Saturday off this week.

Read Last Week
Berserker by Emmy Laybourne - historical fantasy with magic. Entertaining. Review posted on October 6.

The Innocence Treatment by Ari Goelman - near future dsytopia. Excellent. Review posted on October 11.
A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron - Christmas in Louisiana complete with murders. Review posted on October 5.

Death Overdue by Allison Brook - debut mystery with librarian as main character. Review posted on October 7.

The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters and Joan Hess - final Amelia Peabody mystery. Review posted on October 11.

Currently
Neogenesis by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - eARC of newest Liaden Universe book. Publication date is Jan. 2, 2018 but I couldn't wait.

Next Week
Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - TBR pile
Last Chance by Gregg Hurwitz - review stack
Best-Laid Plants by Marty Wingate - review stack
House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick - review stack
Mind Game by Iris Johansen - review stack

Reviews Posted

Reviewed on Inside of a Dog:
Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh
Find Me by Tiffany Snow
The Hunt by Chloe Neill
Reviewed on Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
Stolen Secrets by L. B. Schulman
Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead
Buried Heart by Kate Elliott

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

Adult Books:
Neogenesis by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - eARC from Baen; most recent Liaden Universe book
Burned by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy - Kindle Daily Deal

YA books from Fierce Reads:
The Greed by Scott Bergstrom (Feb. 6)
Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann (Jan. 23)
Losing Leah by Tiffany King (March 20)
Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda (Feb. 20)
Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare (Feb. 20)
White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig (April 24)
YA book from NetGalley:
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (Feb. 27)

What was your week like?

Saturday, September 23, 2017

ARC Review: The Hunt by Chloe Neill

The Hunt
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: A Devil's Isle Novel (Book 3)
Publication: Berkley (September 26, 2017)

Description: When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil’s Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.

Now the weight of Liam’s own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she’ll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out....

My Thoughts: Liam Quinn was hit with a magical weapon and infected with magic in the previous book in this series. This was life-shattering for a man who made a career of hunting down paras and Sensitives and bringing them to Devil's Isle prison. He has disappeared on his girlfriend Claire Connolly who is left to survive in New Orleans as a hunted Sensitive.

When Claire learns that Liam is suspected in the death of a government agent named Broussard, she knows he was out of town and travels into the bayous with Liam's brother Gavin and a winged Para named Malachi to warn him - and to find out why he left her. Finding Liam only uncovers the tip of the iceberg for the large conspiracy that is threatening to bring war back to New Orleans.

Claire has come to terms - sort of - with the knowledge that her father kept her ignorant of lots of things to protect her. But now she is faced with one more lie he told her: her mother is not dead but chose to abandon her husband and daughter. Worse yet, she is a scientist who is perfecting a virus to wipe out all of the paranormals who are on this side of the veil.

Claire, Liam and their allies have to stop these plans and other even more sinister plans before the world they know, already battered, is destroyed.

This was an excellent episode in an engaging urban fantasy series. I like the world building. I like the relationships especially Claire's with Moses and with Liam. Claire is a great character who is dealing with a magical ability she didn't ask for and that she is just learning to use.

Favorite Quote:
Roy made a snorting sound. "If we killed everyone we didn't get along with, the world would be a much smaller place."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Friday Memes: The Hunt by Chloe Neill

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

Beginning:
It had once been a lovely kitchen, with pale wood and granite, a pretty view of a courtyard garden, and an enormous refrigerator still dotted with photographs of what looked like a big, happy family. Father, mother, daughter, sons, and an enormous black dog, big enough for the kids to ride on.

But they were long gone now, cleared out like nearly everyone else in New Orleans when Paranormals flooded our world, leaving most of our city and much of the South in ruins.
Friday 56:
"But even if you had to leave to deal with it to ensure you had control, that was weeks ago, Liam. You couldn't send a message? You couldn't take five minutes to let us know where you were, how you were?
This week I am reading The Hunt by Chloe Neill. I got this eARC from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:
When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil’s Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.

Now the weight of Liam’s own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she’ll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out....

Thursday, September 21, 2017

ARC Review: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Viper
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: A Guild Hunter Novel (Book 10)
Publication: Berkley (September 26, 2017)

Description: Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s breathtakingly passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn’t a vampire or an angel…or human…

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy gray underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman—it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head…

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself—because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening…

No one is safe.

My Thoughts: This is Holly and Venom's story. Holly, who used to be called Sorrow, was attacked by Uram and forcibly made into a sort of vampire. She also has some angelic abilities and still has a human need for food. Since she wasn't made under contract, she has been taken into the tower where she is being watched and trained by the Seven and Raphael. No one, least of all Holly, are sure that she won't succumb to Uram's insanity.

When it is learned that someone has put a bounty of Holly, she is teamed up with Venom to find out who wants her. She and Venom have an interesting relationship. While everyone except his brothers in the Seven are afraid of Venom, Holly isn't intimidated. She finds him fascinating and enjoys teasing him. He returns the teasing. It is while they are investigating that their relationship changes into a romance which neither of them had anticipated.

While they are investigating, Holly also has to deal with the piece of Uram that he left in her and who is trying to take her over. Following where that piece is directing her takes them to Michaela's territory and Michaela's secret. They face all sorts of dangers as they infiltrate and even more dangers when the secret is discovered.

I liked seeing more about Venom and finding out more about his past and his reasons for being the way he is. I liked that Holly was a perfect match for him because she had her own power and stubbornness. I also liked that Holly saw the man behind the Venom persona.

Fans of the Guild Hunters series will enjoy this newest entry. In fact, anyone who loves paranormal romance will enjoy this story.

Favorite Quote:
She didn't let go despite the warning in his tone. "I'm stubborn," she whispered. "Especially when it comes to people who matter." And he mattered. "You don't get to do the lone viper thing anymore."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

ARC Review: Find Me by Tiffany Snow

Find Me
Author: Tiffany Snow
Series: Corrupted Hearts (Book 3)
Publication: Montlake Romance (September 19, 2017)

Description: As the head of the government’s secret Vigilance spy program, computer guru China Mack already has her hands full when her billionaire boyfriend, Jackson Cooper, asks for one of them in marriage.

Thrown for a loop by the sudden proposal, China’s usually well-ordered life takes another hit when someone tries to assassinate the president. Even that comes with a shocking twist: the primary suspect is none other than her ex-partner, Clark Slattery. With nowhere else to turn, the sexy loner needs China’s help and expertise. Clark has linked the assassination attempt to a failed secret operation undertaken six years ago—and a deadly cover-up that’s putting the leader of the free world in the crosshairs. But the president isn’t the only one in harm’s way.

Now, China is going to have to dig deep for information that’s beyond even her clearance. And what she discovers may have far-reaching consequences for her life and everyone else in it.

My Thoughts: This episode begins with a fancy Valentine's Day date with China's boyfriend Jackson that ends with him proposing marriage. China is not at all sure that she is ready for marriage or wants to marry Jackson and is saved from answering his proposal when she gets a call saying the President has been shot.

She heads in to her secret workplace where she learns that surveillance video shows that the shooter looks suspiciously like her former partner Clark Slattery. When Clark comes to her with a bullet wound and asking for help, China finds herself trying to investigate who tried to kill the president and who shot Clark.

It also looks like whoever shot Clark isn't finished trying to kill him. She and Jackson wind up in a car accident which totals the brand new car Jackson just gave her. Clark and Jackson are both rivals for China's love and really don't like each other. But the three of them have to team up to find out who wants them dead.

Around the danger and investigation, a lot of this one is about China deciding which of these two hot - but very different - men is the right man for her. I liked China who is a genius who is also quite quirky and really into fandom. I could see why she has such a hard time believing that anyone could love her after meeting her family and learning a secret from her past.

This was an excellent, fast-paced romantic suspense title with a wonderful group of characters.

Favorite Quote:
Clark had almost been blown up. One part of my brain tried to process that while another part went through the ramifications. "Who's after you? And why? Was this the first time something like that has happened? Wait...someone's trying to kill you and you came here?" My voice rose as each question only panicked me more.

He winced. "Okay, only dogs can hear you. Take it down a notch."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Adult and Young Adult Teasers (Sept. 19)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. 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 on Inside of a Dog:
"Don't be ridiculous. And I don't twitch." Not unless he started using seen instead of saw or demanded I change the scent of my laundry detergent.
-- Find Me by Tiffany Snow







Teaser on Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
He gave an exasperated sigh, but I knew he's already caved. "Great. Then I'm the one Aiana comes after and yells at tomorrow. There are a lot of words for 'idiot' and 'bastard' in our language, and she knows them all. I even think she invented some."
-- Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead

Monday, September 18, 2017

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Sept. 18, 2017)

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... 

Our new garage is built. This week the electrician should be coming to get power to the building and change out our exterior lights. Next up is getting a garage door opener installed and maybe rain gutters. Since winter is coming, it will be nice to be able to get all three cars in garages.

Work seems to be progressing at the house in Duluth we are selling. I haven't heard yet but the basement repair people were supposed to be finished by Friday. Next up there is cleaning up the ugly but not dangerous mold and doing some sort of preventative treatment. Then things move to the buyer's hands to get the closing rescheduled.

My townhouse is still on the market with maybe a showing a week. I would really like that one sold soon. The excitement there this week was a large, very large, spider spotted by the potential buyers during a showing. My realtor put on her Great White Hunter hat and took care of it (but not before sending me a photo of the monster.)

Meanwhile, Duluth has been cool, rainy and foggy again for most of the past week. Great reading weather but not so great for any outdoor activities.

Read Last Week
El Deafo by Cece Bell - ARC from deep on TBR mountain
Satellite by Nick Lake - engaging YA science fiction
The Wicked Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden - Okay romance. I thought the main characters were more in need of therapy than a romance
Osiris by Eric C. Anderson - complex military and political thriller that reminded me of Tom Clancy but without as much character development
The Great Shelby Holmes - from TBR mountain, engaging middle grade mystery

The Breathless by Tara Goedjen - DNF; I read until 58% before deciding that I didn't know what was going on and didn't care enough about any of the characters to continue.

Currently
A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron (Oct. 10) - Review stack; Louisiana, plantation bed and breakfasts, murder and interesting characters

Next Week
The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters and Joan Hess - the last Amelia Peabody mystery from TBR mountain
Berserker by Emmy Laybourne (Oct. 10) - review book
Death Overdue by Allison Brook (Oct. 10) - review book

Reviews Posted

On Inside of a Dog:
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
The Last Move by Mary Burton
Sleep Like a Baby by Charlaine Harris

On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:
A Poison Dark and Drowning by Jessica Cluess

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

On my Kindle:
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Print books:
The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi
Nemesis by Anna Banks

Review book:
House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick (Oct. 17)

What was your week like?