Wednesday, September 30, 2020

ARC Review: Girl on the Run by Abigail Johnson

Girl on the Run

Author: Abigail Johnson
Series: Underlined Paperbacks
Publication: Underlined (October 6, 2020)

Description: A fast-paced original paperback thriller about a girl who discovers that her mother might not be who she says she is . . . and now someone is hunting them both.

Katelyn wants the best for her widowed mom. Surprising her with an online dating profile seems like a good idea.

It isn't. Katelyn's mom hasn't just been acting overprotective all these years--she's been hiding something. And now that anyone can find them online , Katelyn is in a desperate race against time to uncover the secrets of the past--not only her mom's, but also her own.

As Katelyn's world unravels , she begins to trust the guy who brought this nightmare to her door and to doubt the one person she never thought she would. Because her mom has been hiding for a reason: she's been waiting.

Underlined is a line of totally addictive romance, thriller, and horror paperback original titles coming to you fast and furious each month. Enjoy everything you want to read the way you want to read it.

My Thoughts: This was an excellent thriller that I just had to read in one sitting. It was too exciting to put down!

Katelyn is almost used to the idea that her mom is paranoid and absolutely convinced that something bad will happen to her daughter. She is also very strict about knowing where Katelyn is all the time and also keeping her off social media. Her mom has moved her frequently throughout her life. Anytime something particularly worries her, they pack up and move. 

Katelyn is hoping that this time they'll be able to stay in one place long enough for her to graduate from high school. But, when Katelyn sets up an online dating profile for her mother, her mother panics and forces them to leave in a hurry.

Good thing they do because someone is after them. They steal cars and wind up in an isolated motel. Her mom tells Katelyn to stay there while she goes on some mysterious errand but, while she's gone, someone breaks into the motel room and Katelyn barely escapes through the bathroom window.

Circling back around, she discovers a young man in the trunk of the car the room invader arrived in and the two of them go on the run together. Malcolm Pike is a college junior and computer hacker who was hired to find Katelyn's mother which he did almost as soon as the picture with the online profile was posted.

Katelyn is surprised to learn that her mother has been on the run after being accused of killing a rich young man. The man's mother has hired detectives and bounty hunters to track her down. Katelyn can't believe that her mother would ever do something like that and convinces Malcolm that they need to investigate more.

The investigation leads to all sorts of secrets about her life and all sorts of danger as the bounty hunter gets close to catching them many times. 

This is action-packed and would be sure to grab the attention of any YA reader. 

Favorite Quote:
She leans one hand on my bed so she can take off her heels. "Can we just agree now that trying to date after thirty-five is evil and I can give it up?"

"If something is hard, quit right away. Got it."

Mom flops back ans starts the contortionist act required to free herself from her Spanx. "What if I just got like a dozen cats instead?"

"Mom."

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

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

ARC Review: Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli

Deception by Gaslight

Author: Kate Belli
Series: A Gilded Gotham Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (October 6, 2020)

Description: Glittering Gilded-Age New York holds its lavish charms--and a litany of deadly sins--as intrepid reporter Genevieve Stewart uncovers a trail of corruption and murder.

As a chill sets in on New York City in the winter of 1888, a jewel thief dubbed the "Robin Hood of the Lower East Side" has been stealing from the city's wealthiest and giving to the poor. Genevieve Stewart--a young woman whose family is part of Mrs. Astor's famed 400 but who has forged a life of her own as a reporter--decides to chase the story, but gets more than she bargained for: a murder victim sprawled in a dark alley in the dangerous Five Points neighborhood.

A handsome neighborhood tough comes to her rescue--but when she encounters the same man at a glamorous ball a few nights later, she realizes he's society scion Daniel McCaffrey. Could this be her Robin Hood? When two more murders rock the Knickerbocker world, it becomes apparent that something much more sinister is afoot than a few stolen diamond necklaces. Genevieve is determined to prove that Daniel is Robin Hood--but she's loath to believe he is a killer as well. From the glittering lights of Fifth Avenue to the sordid back alleys of Five Points, the truth is just one murder away.

My Thoughts: The story begins with reporter Genevieve Stewart following some men into a rough part of town in her quest to discover who the mysterious "Robin Hood" is. The thief has been preying on members of New York's 400 and sending letters telling about the victim's misdeeds to justify the thefts. Finding out who the mysterious thief is would do wonders for her fledgling career as a journalist. She needs something after being dumped almost at the altar by her fiance.

But wandering around on the Lower East Side isn't particularly safe and she is rescued by a handsome stranger. Imagine her surprise when she sees the same stranger at the next night's social gathering and discovers the he is the mysterious Daniel McCaffrey who was the heir of Jacob Van Joost even though no one knows the relationship between them. 

The two are working at cross purposes for quite a while in the story. Genevieve wonders if he could be Robin Hood and he has to overcome his prejudice about reporters who have made up all sorts of stories about him in order to sell papers. But, once the thefts become murders, the two begin working together to find out what is happening.

I enjoyed the main characters in this one. They are both intriguing people. The side characters also have lots of possibilities as stars of further books in this series. I also liked the setting. New York City and the changing social landscape when the old rich are being supplanted by the new rich and the political landscape of the city added rich detail to the story and were key features in the plot.

Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this story and its interesting characters.

Favorite Quote:
Why must women fit into preordained molds? Why couldn't she be accepted and celebrated as a journalist rather than only as a fiancee or a wife?

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

Monday, September 28, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 28, 2020)

 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.

Other Than Reading... 

This was a mixed week. We had a couple of nice days with temperatures in the high 60s or lower 70s and lots of sun. I took advantage of the weather and went on a couple of walks outdoors. The rest of the week was cold, rainy and foggy. I didn't go out to walk and confined my walking to a couple of trips to grocery stores. I do make a point of walking up and down the aisles so that I get at least a thousand steps in when I go shopping. 

The rainy, foggy weather didn't do much for our solar production this week either. 

The landscapers did come and finish up their work on one of the more pleasant days of the week. My brother started to mow the lawn one day and then came in to tell me that the lawnmower was smoking and quit working. Naturally, he brought it back to the place where he bought it six weeks ago and it was gone for a few days before he could pick it up again. The weather is making mowing questionable right now. He has a day off tomorrow and hopes the weather will cooperate. 

The next thing he told me is that his DVR had quit working and that he had scheduled a service call with out cable/phone/internet provider to come fix it. Of course, the appointment was for 8 AM on Saturday. Luckily, he was going to be home and could handle it. The guy was already here and working when I got up. In the small world category, he had previously worked at Target like my brother does and he has a brother working there now. 

The regular season for baseball ends on Sunday and then the playoffs begin. My Atlanta Braves are the number 2 seed and I have high hopes that they will be able to go far. I think their first game is this Wednesday.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)
  • Shadows in Death by J. D. Robb (Mine; Audiobook) - This is the latest in the In Death series of futuristic mystery/romances and was another entertaining entry into this long-running series. My review will be posted on October 17.
  • Saddled With Murder by Eileen Brady (Review; Oct. 27) - Contemporary mystery starring a veterinarian whose Christmas wish that some difficult clients would disappear seems to be coming true when someone decides to murder them. My review will be posted on October 3.
  • Alliance of Equals by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Mine; Audiobook) - Reread of the direct prequel to Trader's Leap
  • Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Review; Dec. 1) - This is a reread of an ARC which is the latest in the Liaden Universe science fiction series. My review is scheduled for December 1.
  • Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas (Review; Oct. 6) - This is the 5th in the Lady Sherlock Victorian mystery series and was a great addition to the series. My review will be posted on October 6.
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Sunday, September 27, 2020

State of the State #100 (September 27, 2020)

 

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 
  1. Second Chance Angel by Griffin Barber & Kacey Ezell (Sept. 3)
  2. Nightshade by M. L. Huie (September 5)
  3. See Her Die by Melinda Leigh (September 9)
  4. A Trace of Deceit by Karen Odden (September 11)
  5. Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (December 1)
  6. A Highlander Comes to Town by Laura Trentham (Sept. 23)
  7. The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith (Sept. 26)
  8. Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli (Sept. 29)
  9. Girl on the Run by Abigail Johnson (Sept. 30)
  10. Shadow Ridge by M. E. Browning (Oct. 1)
  11. Saddled with Murder by Eileen Brady (Oct. 3)
  12. Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas (Oct. 6)
Read Previously But Posted This Month 
  1. Hanging Falls by Margaret Mizushima (Sept. 1)
  2. Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron (Sept. 2)
New This Month 
  1. Murder Is a Must by Marty Wingate (Dec. 1)
My Review Stack

October
November
December
January


Saturday, September 26, 2020

Book Review: The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith

The Unspoken
Author: Ian K. Smith
Series: Ashe Cayne (Book 1)
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (October 1, 2020)

Description: In this new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ian K. Smith, an ex-cop turned private investigator seeks justice on the vibrant, dangerous streets of Chicago.

Former Chicago detective Ashe Cayne is desperate for redemption. After refusing to participate in a police department cover-up involving the death of a young black man, Cayne is pushed out of the force. But he won’t sit quietly on the sidelines: he’s compelled to fight for justice as a private investigator…even if it means putting himself in jeopardy.

When a young woman, Tinsley Gerrigan, goes missing, her wealthy parents from the North Shore hire Cayne to find her. As Cayne looks into her life and past, he uncovers secrets Tinsley’s been hiding from her family. Cayne fears he may never find Tinsley alive.

His worries spike when Tinsley’s boyfriend is found dead—another black man murdered on the tough Chicago streets. Cayne must navigate his complicated relationships within the Chicago PD, leveraging his contacts and police skills to find the missing young woman, see justice done, and earn his redemption.


My Thoughts: Ashe Cayne is a former police officer who left the force after refusing to participate in a cover-up. He left with quite a settlement and good investments means that he can choose his own cases as a private investigator while still trying to improve his golf game.

When Violet Gerrigan comes and asks him to look for her missing daughter Tinsley, he isn't very interested. But the more Violet tells him about Tinsley, the more his curiosity is aroused. So he begins an investigation. Soon he is led to the best friend - Hunter Morgan - who was supposed to host her friend the night she disappeared but says she didn't arrive and hasn't called to let her know why.

Morgan does mention a boyfriend - Tariq "Chopper" McNair - who is the nephew of a well-known gang lord in town and who is Black and not what people from the best part of Chicago want as a son-in-law. Ashe meets Chopper who is worried about his missing girlfriend and paints a picture of a strong, lasting relationship. Soon thereafter, Chopper is found shot to death in an abandoned alley and decorated with gang marks to make it look like he was killed by a rival gang of his uncle's. Now his uncle comes to Ashe because he wants to know who killed his nephew. He has revenge in mind.

The story was filled with interesting information about the city of Chicago, Chicago politics, and the activities of the very wealthy. Ashe is a smart, competent investigator who's as comfortable with gang leaders as the most wealthy in town. He is persistent and has a strong sense of justice. He is also something of a smartass. 

A subplot about what he does to a former priest who abused a number of boys but seemed to evade justice was jarring but understandable considering Ashe's sense of justice and dislike of bullies. 

I liked the sidekick characters too. Carolina provides a lot of information and seems like she'd be good girlfriend material once he finally gets over his fiance running off to Paris with another man and Mechanic is also an intriguing character.

I enjoyed this story and am eager to read more of Ashe Cayne's adventures. 

Favorite Quote:
You were really cut out for this," Carolina said.

"Eating good food?"

"Trying to make right out of wrong."

"I'm not delusional enough to think that I can change the world," I said. "But I do think there's a universal karma that dictates good will ultimately prevail over evil. Maybe not always in the terms that we want or can identify, but it still happens."

I received this book as a part of the Kindle First program. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Friday Memes: The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith

 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:
"My daughter is missing, and I want you to find her."
Friday 56:
Chopper look at one of his security guys and grinned. His teeth were big and perfect. "The guy's got jokes," he said. 
This week I am spotlighting a recent Kindle First selection. The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith is the firstin the Ashe Cayne series. Here is the description from Amazon:

In this new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ian K. Smith, an ex-cop turned private investigator seeks justice on the vibrant, dangerous streets of Chicago.

Former Chicago detective Ashe Cayne is desperate for redemption. After refusing to participate in a police department cover-up involving the death of a young black man, Cayne is pushed out of the force. But he won’t sit quietly on the sidelines: he’s compelled to fight for justice as a private investigator…even if it means putting himself in jeopardy.

When a young woman, Tinsley Gerrigan, goes missing, her wealthy parents from the North Shore hire Cayne to find her. As Cayne looks into her life and past, he uncovers secrets Tinsley’s been hiding from her family. Cayne fears he may never find Tinsley alive.

His worries spike when Tinsley’s boyfriend is found dead—another black man murdered on the tough Chicago streets. Cayne must navigate his complicated relationships within the Chicago PD, leveraging his contacts and police skills to find the missing young woman, see justice done, and earn his redemption.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Book Review: Sucker Punch by Laurell K. Hamilton

Sucker Punch

Author:
Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Book 27
Publication: Berkley (August 4, 2020)

Description: A brutal murder, a suspect in jail, and an execution planned—but what if the wrong person is about to be killed? 

When a fellow U.S. Marshal asks Anita Blake to fly to a tiny community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on an emergency consult, she knows time is running short. When she arrives, there is plenty of proof that a young wereleopard killed his uncle in the most gruesome and bloody way possible. As the mounting evidence points to him, a warrant of execution is already under way.

But something seems off about the murder, and Anita has been asked for her expert opinion on the crime scene. Despite escalating pressure from local cops and the family’s cries for justice for their dead patriarch, Anita quickly realizes that the evidence doesn’t quite add up.

Time is against Anita, as the tight-knit community is up in arms and its fear of supernaturals is growing. She races to uncover the truth and determine whether the Marshals have caught the killer or are about to execute an innocent man—all in the name of justice.

My Thoughts: When Anita is called to assist a fellow Marshal in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she goes to help out a man who she has mentored. She finds a case that should be simple - a wereleopard has killed his adopted father - but it turns out to be much more complicated.

Marshal Win Newman isn't convinced that Bobby Marchant actually killed his adopted father. And once Anita gets a look at him and at the scene, she has her doubts too. But a warrant of execution has been authorized and they have limited time before they are required by law to execute it and end Bobby's life. 

Anita and Win have to convince the Sheriff that they need to do more investigating before they'll execute the warrant. They find the victim's estranged sister and her husband looting the house almost before the body had been removed which adds them to the list of possible suspects. Also, there is something very suspicious about the victim's stepdaughter.

Adding to the tension is that Marshal Otto Jeffries shows up to notch up the tension. Otherwise knows and Olaf and a serial killer who has fixated on Anita, Jeffries is trying to convince Anita that they can have a relationship which doesn't end with her tortured, raped and murdered. Anita calls her best friend Marshal Ted Forrester to come help her with Olaf. Anita also calls in some of one of her fiance's people to act as advocates for Bobby and, incidentally, to protect her from Olaf. 

Most of this story deals with the mystery and much less of it is concerned with Anita's very complicated love life. There is quite a bit of discussion about her domestic situation but just a couple of kisses for any demonstration of it. Anita's ardeur does rear its head when she accidentally rolls a stripper that she is interviewing but otherwise seems to have it under control.

I liked this story because it wasn't so involved with Anita's sex life. I did miss the presence of Jean Claude, Nathaniel and Micah though. I thought the mystery was pretty well done. I liked the investigation into the victim's death. While the story didn't have what anyone would describe as a happy ending, it did provide a satisfying resolution to the case while leaving a number of issues to be solved in later books. 

Favorite Quote:
There are three types of people in this world: those you protect, those who fight with you, and those who fight against you. You killed to save those under your protection and to defend your own life and the lives of the people who fought beside you. It was simple math until the monsters became your friends and the people who were fighting beside you still wanted to kill them. Then it all went to hell.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

ARC Review: A Highlander Is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham

A Highlander Is Coming to Town

Author: Laura Trentham
Series: Highland, Georgia (Book 3)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (September 29, 2020)

Description: The third book in the Highland, Georgia romantic comedy series from Laura Trentham, A Highlander is Coming to Town, full of love, laughs...and highlanders!
You better watch out. . .

Holt Pierson is dreading Christmas. His parents absconded to Florida for the season and left him to handle the family farm which will be his one day―whether he wants it or not. Driven by duty, Holt has always followed the path expected of him. But lately, he’s been questioning what he wants and where he belongs. Will assuming the responsibility of the Pierson farm make him happy or is there something―or someone―else out in the wider world calling to him?

To Claire Smythe, the Scottish lead singer of a touring band, Highland, Georgia, is the perfect place to hide . . .until a very handsome and deeply curious Holt begins to ask all the questions Claire doesn’t want to answer. As Holt draws Claire out from under and into the fabric of small-town life, can Claire put the past behind her and embrace the unexpected gifts of the season―including the new and lasting love?

My Thoughts: This contemporary romance stars Claire Smythe and Holt Pierson.

Claire is in hiding and trying to decide about her future. When she turns 25 right after Christmas she will inherit shares in her family's company which is a whiskey distillery. Doing so will force her to return to Scotland and her parents and will put her right in the middle between her father and her cousin's goals for the company. She is a poor little rich girl who was raised more by the family lawyer than by her parents. 

Holt Pierson is a lifelong resident of Highland, Georgia. He is an only child and works at his family farm. He likes his life but is now feeling lonely since his parents have semi-retired and taken off in an RV to travel. Holt is feeling lonely and a bit envious of his friends who are finding love and marriage.

Claire is working for an elderly woman and living in her house after spending some time as the lead singer of a Scottish rock band. Claire keeps running into Holt, usually when she is having problems, and Holt becomes fascinated with her. 

This was a nice, fast-paced story with engaging characters. 

Favorite Quote:
She was trapped. It was scary and thrilling. She'd always had an out. An escape route. She had run away from complications more times than she could count, starting with her parents.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Audiobook: On Basilisk Station by David Weber

On Basilisk Station
Author: David Weber
Series: Honor Harrington Book 1
Narrator: Allyson Johnson
Publication: Audible Studios (March 4, 2009)
Length: 15 hours and 36 minutes

Description: Having made a superior look a fool, Honor Harrington has been exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin.

Her demoralized crew blames her for their ship's humiliating posting to an out-of-the-way picket station.

The aborigines of the system's only habitable planet are smoking homicide-inducing hallucinogens.

Parliament isn't sure it wants to keep the place; the major local industry is smuggling; the merchant cartels want her head; the star-conquering, so-called "Republic" of Haven is up to something; and Honor Harrington has a single, over-age light cruiser with an armament that doesn't work to police the entire star system.

But the people out to get her have made one mistake. They've made her mad.

My Thoughts: This book introduces Honor Harrington as she takes command of the Fearless and, after embarrassing Admiral Hemphill, finds herself assigned to Basilisk Station. There she finds an old enemy, Lord Pavel Young, in command. He attempted to rape her while they were at the Academy but she wiped the floor with him. However, instead of pressing her advantage and getting him thrown out of the service in disgrace, she let's him off the hook and makes a major enemy.

Young takes advantage of Honor's appearance to take himself and his ship back home to Manticore for "essential repairs" hoping that Honor will fail in her new command. However, Honor doesn't fail. Despite a first officer who seems to have some sort of grudge against her, she rallies her crew to do all the things Young and his ship should have been doing.

From customs inspections to interfacing with the diplomatic mission overseeing the residents on the planet, Honor's crew is stretched thin but finally doing what the Navy should have been doing all along. And just in time too. Because Haven has been hatching a plot to get Manticore off Basilisk and gain control of its terminus for itself.

Haven has hatched a plan to drug and arm the natives with weapons far above their technological development and let them loose on the enclaves where the foreigners live. Then they will sweep in with their Navy and "save" the foreigners and highlight Manticoran incompetence.

However, with Honor on the planet, there is no Manticoran incompetence to be had. After Hemphill's reconfiguring of Honor's ship's weapons which made them a lot less effective and useful, Honor is left to face a much larger and better armed Havenite ship to keep it from escaping to hyperspace and alerting the rest of the invasion force that it is time to sweep in to an easy victory.

The story is filled with technical detail that I would normally skim but couldn't in the audiobook. However, the parts of the story where people were interacting and plans were developed was engaging enough to get me through the technical details. I loved the way Honor wins the loyalty of her new crew and even finally gets her first officer on the right track.

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

Monday, September 21, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 21, 2020)

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.

Other Than Reading... 

This was another pretty quiet week. We are having some landscaping done to clean up around the house and they were here a few days repairing snowplow damage, trimming very overgrown shrubbery, and making new garden beds. They should finish up this coming week. I also had an exciting trip to have my oil changed and spent about an hour in my car dealer's waiting room. Now that is done until late March when maybe I'll have another couple hundred miles on the car. It seemed silly to have the oil changed when I had slightly less than 500 miles on the car but ... rules are rules. 

I spent the whole week listening to and reading the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. My next audiobook will actually be something other than a reread. I decided to give Shadows In Death by J. D. Robb a try as an audiobook. I also have the Kindle version and may end up doing a hybrid of listening and reading.

I also watched a lot of baseball this week. It is hard to believe that the regular season is almost over. I think my team should have enough wins to get into the playoffs. I hope so anyway because that will extend my baseball watching season for a couple more weeks. 

It is hard to believe that it is late in September already but a few mornings of hard frosts are beginning to convince me. I just hope it will stay warm enough to let the new sod get tightly rooted before the ground freezes and it is covered with snow. We are expecting temperatures to get into the lower 70s a couple of days this week before it cools off again.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)
  • Girl on the Run by Abigail Johnson (YA Review; Oct. 6) - Great YA thriller. My review will be posted on Sept. 30.
  • Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli (Review; Oct. 6) - Entertaining historical mystery. My review will be posted on Sept. 29.
  • Shadow Ridge by M. E. Browning (Review; Oct. 6) - First in a new contemporary mystery series. It was entertaining. My review will be posted on Oct. 1)
  • Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Audiobook) - I decided to reread the Hidden Legacy series and combined listening and reading. 
  • White Hot by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Audiobook) - 2nd in the Hidden Legacy series.
  • Wildfire by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Audiobook) - 3rd in the Hidden Legacy series.
  • Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Kindle) - This novella is 3.5 in the Hidden Legacy series.
  • Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Audiobook) - 4th in the Hidden Legacy series.
  • Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews (Mine; Audiobook) - This time I listened to the 5th in the Hidden Legacy series. The review of the Kindle book is linked below.
Currently
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What was your week like?

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Book Review: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Emerald Blaze

Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy (Book 5)
Publication: Avon (August 25, 2020)

Description: Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything…except the hearts of those who wield it.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. 


My Thoughts: Catalina Baylor has gotten over her broken heart from when Alessandro Sagredo left after their case together. Or, at least, she has managed to convincer her family that she is over it. But when a Prime is murdered and his father hires Alessandro to kill the one who killed his son and Catalina has to find the murderer as a part of her job as Deputy Warden of Texas, the two of them need to work together.

Alessandro knows that the man who murdered his father when he was a young boy has added Catalina to his hit list. Alessandro has been tracking him for years; that's why he left Catalina after their case together. Now he is determined to protect Catalina from that man no matter what the difficulties might be.

The man who has added Catalina to his list isn't opposed to targeting her family to get to her. When an attempt to out her sister Arabella fails and an attempt to get her cousin Leon arrested for murder, Catalina knows she has to solve her case and find him to keep her family safe.

The murder victim was part of a group who were trying to reclaim an area in Houston that is called the Pit and, besides being a swamp, is contaminated with all sorts of magical residue. Catalina is attacked by residents of the Pit on a few occasions and barely manages to escape. It becomes even worse when she learns that the Pit itself is an entity that was dosed with an illicit serum that was the original cause of the magic and psychic talents that some people have. The serum was declared illegal and should all have been destroyed but a few samples are still around and the Wardens need to collect and destroy all of them before some idiots create chaos again.

I liked the story and love the worldbuilding. Catalina is a great character who is smart, talented, and driven to take care of her family. I liked her growing relationship with Alessandro despite the legions of reasons why a relationship could never work. I also really like Catalina's relationship with her family and the respect and caring they all have for each other. 

Fans of this series won't want to miss this latest episode.

Favorite Quote:
If I closed my eyes, I could conjure him right here next to me. I remembered his voice, his face, his scent...He was engraved in my memory. The relationship might have meant nothing to him, but it was my first. I hadn't known it was necessary to guard myself against committing completely. I didn't realize it was doomed from the start. I just fell in love.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Friday Memes: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

 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:
"House Baylor Investigative Agency," I shouted. "Holster your weapons and step away from the monkey."

Friday 56: 
Leon closed the case and moved on. Audrey didn't. Leon was attractive and dangerous, and she decided he should belong to her. She was used to being adored for things like curling her hair and she couldn't understand why he wasn't falling at her feet and promising her the world.


This week I am spotlighting Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews. It is a new arrival on my TBR mountain. Here is the description from Amazon:

Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything…except the hearts of those who wield it.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. 

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Audiobook: A Call to Arms by David Weber, Timothy Zahn & Thomas Pope

A Call to Arms
Author: David Weber, Timothy Zahn, Thomas Pope
Narrator: Eric Michael Summerer
Publication: Audible Studios (Oct. 6, 2015)
Length: 12 hours and 21 minutes

Description: Lieutenant Travis Long of the Royal Manticoran Navy is the sort of person who likes an orderly universe. One where people follow the rules. Unfortunately he lives in the real universe. The good news is that Travis is one of those rare people who may like rules but has a talent for thinking outside them when everything starts coming apart. That talent has stood him - and the Star Kingdom - in good stead in the past, and it's one reason he's now a "mustang" - an ex-enlisted man who's been given a commission as a king's officer. The bad news is that two of the best ways of making enemies ever invented are insisting on enforcing the rules...and thinking outside them when other people don't. Travis learned that lesson the hard way as a young volunteer in basic training, and he knows that if he could just keep his head down, turn a blind eye to violations of the rules, and avoid stepping on senior officers' toes, he'd do just fine.

But the one rule Travis Long absolutely can't break is the one that says an officer in the Royal Navy does his duty, whatever the consequences. At the moment,there are powerful forces in the young Star Kingdom of Manticore's Parliament that don't think they need him. For that matter they're pretty sure they don't need the Royal Manticoran Navy, either. After all, what does a sleepy little single-system star nation on the outer edge of the explored galaxy need with a navy? Unhappily for them, the edge of the explored galaxy can be a far more dangerous place than they think it is. They're about to find out why they need the navy...and how very, very fortunate they are that Travis Long is in it.

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Manticore Ascendant series and follows the further adventures of Travis Uriah Long. Travis has been sent to further schooling and is now a Lieutenant JG in the Navy. He goes through various problems on a couple of ships when he insists that people under his command follow the rules no matter who their relatives are. Travis hasn't learned to balance rigid rule following with people skills.

Meanwhile, a large Solarian corporation is eyeing Manticore because of the potential wormhole that might exist in the system. They have sent out their spy Jeremiah Llyn to manipulate events to learn about the possible wormhole and plan for a conquest of the Manticore system which must definitely leave their name out of it while still letting them ultimately take control.

From the murder of one of the captured pirates held in Havenite prison to the murder of a dictator is exile and his supporters to hiring a mercenary space fleet, the spy is busy trying to acquire Manticore for his masters. Most of his activities are well below the radar of anyone on Manticore except for a few people in the Navy who just gets a quick look at his activities but can't find him.

But on Manticore politics is proceeding as usual with a faction wanting to stop what they see as the financial drain of the Royal Navy from eating the budget. Of course, Earl Breakwater wants to divert assets from the Navy to MPARS (Manticore Patrol and Rescue Service) which is under his control and which he and his supporters feel are certainly enough to protect Manticore. Among his strongest supporters is Baron Winterfall who happens to be Travis Long's half-brother.

The book is filled with complicated political maneuvering and space battles which brings a lot of action to the story. It was an entertaining story to listen to even though some of the transitions were a bit jarring as locations and characters changed from one sentence to the next.

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

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Audiobook: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

Burn Bright
Author: Patricia Briggs
Narrator: Holter Graham
Publication: Penguin Audio (March 6, 2018)
Length: 9 hours and 47 minutes

Description: In her bestselling Alpha and Omega series, Patricia Briggs "spins tales of werewolves, coyote shifters, and magic and, my, does she do it well" (USA Today Online). Now mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham face a threat like no other--one that lurks too close to home...

They are the wild and the broken. The werewolves too damaged to live safely among their own kind. For their own good, they have been exiled to the outskirts of Aspen Creek, Montana. Close enough to the Marrok's pack to have its support; far enough away to not cause any harm.

With their Alpha out of the country, Charles and Anna are on call when an SOS comes in from the fae mate of one such wildling. Heading into the mountainous wilderness, they interrupt the abduction of the wolf--but can't stop blood from being shed. Now Charles and Anna must use their skills--his as enforcer, hers as peacemaker--to track down the attackers, reopening a painful chapter in the past that springs from the darkest magic of the witchborn...

My Thoughts: With Bran away, Charles is in charge of the Marrok's pack. Anna is running interference with Bran's mate Leah since she is a troublemaker who doesn't like either Charles or Anna.

When a call comes in from a fae mate of one of the wildings - werewolves too damaged or broken to live in the pack or anywhere near humans - Charles and Anna head into the wild country to see what is happening.

They find that one of the wildlings has been kidnapped leaving Charles and Anna to try to recover her. She is the only one who can keep her very powerful fae mate under control. They find her and find that she has been captured by other werewolves who want her for some reason. In the rescue attempt, she is killed and shortly thereafter her fae mate commits suicide.

When Charles and Anna along with some of the others of the pack including Asil, Leah, and Sage go to do a cleanup of their cabin and burn it down to make a proper burial for the old werewolf, they discover all sorts of technological devices that have been planted around that isolated cabin to spy on them. Also, a suicide note from the fae tells them that there is a traitor in the pack but doesn't name the traitor.

As Charles and Anna search for the traitor, they also realize that they have to let the other wildlings know about this new danger. In order to alert them all quickly, Leah suggests that they divide into three groups - Charles with Sage, Anna with Asil, and Leah with Juste - to go give their warnings.

Asil and Anna go to warn Wellesley who is a wonderful artist. They find that Anna's talent as an Omega makes her very popular with the wildlings since her power lets her calm their wolves. But Anna learns that Wellesley's problem is not a wolf going crazy by a black witch's curse when she is pulled into his mind and finds the wolf covered in a thicket of bramble vines. She calls on Charles for help since she doesn't know anything about breaking a magic spell and pulls him away from a fight with a trio of Viking werewolves.

Freeing Wellesley from the spell makes them believe that the problem has something to do with the black witches since Wellesley knows a secret for making a device to control werewolves and black witches really want to know this long-forgotten magic.

Some clues lead Anna and Charles to the conclusion that Leah is the traitor and help explain why Bran is staying away from his pack. He also believes that Leah is the traitor but he can't kill his own mate. And if Charles does, the odds are good that Charles will also have to fight and kill his own father.

This story also gives some more insight on Mercy Thompson's childhood and Bran's relationship with her. It was an exciting tale and helped identify the "money man" who has been instrumental in causing trouble for the Marrok and for Mercy's pack too. I really like the relationship between Charles and Anna and like that Anna is getting some idea of what she wants to do with her life now that it looks like it will be a very long one.

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