Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Audiobook Review: Fate of the Union by Max Allan Collins

Fate of the Union
Author: Max Allan Collins & Matthew V. Clemens
Narrator: Dan John Miller
Series: Reeder and Rogers (Book 2)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (November 10, 2015)
Length: 8 hours and 21 minutes

Description: When a retired colleague dies of an apparent suicide, ex - Secret Service agent Joe Reeder knows there must be far more to the story. Why did the man leave a desperate message for Reeder moments before dying? And what could possibly make such a seasoned veteran fear for his life?

FBI Special Agent Patti Rogers has a mystery of her own to solve: she's leading a task force investigating a brutal series of similar but seemingly unconnected murders across the DC area. Are they serial killings or something even more sinister?

Could Reeder and Rogers be tracking down different facets of the same conspiracy? And how do the continued assassination attempts on a presidential hopeful figure into an unprecedented attack on the heart of government?

The answers to these questions are uncovered in this riveting sequel to the bestselling Supreme Justice.

My Thoughts: The second book in the Reeder and Rogers series begins with the death of a former Secret Service agent. He left a message on Joe Reeder's phone, but Reeder doesn't get the message until after his former colleague is dead. Joe is suspicious when the death is declared a suicide and is determined to look into it more closely.

Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Patti Rogers is leading a taskforce investigating a series of murders in the area around Washington, DC. All they seem to have in common is the manner of death. Otherwise, the victims are seemingly random. 

It soon becomes apparent that Joe's investigation and Patti's are connected and lead to something big coming up. Their investigation takes them to billionaire and potential third-party candidate Adam Benjamin who is pushing an agenda of Common-Sense centrism. Benjamin is one of Reeder's few heroes.

The story is packed with action, suspense, and high stakes crimes. I enjoyed getting together with Reeder and Rogers for another excellent thriller. I especially enjoyed the quotes at the beginnings of chapters which featured people buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

I bought this one June 28, 2024. You can buy your copy here.
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ARC Review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales
Author: Heather Fawcett
Series: Emily Wilde (Book 3)
Publication: Del Rey (February 11, 2025)

Description: The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world: How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

My Thoughts: The third Emily Wilde fantasy has Emily and Wendell returning to his fairie kingdom. He is happy to be home and she is intrigued by all the research she could do now that she lived in his kingdom.

However, the deposed queen has left a curse behind her. 

Now, Emily and Wendell have to find the deposed queen and Emily has to decide which story is being played out in the here and now. Emily being a dryadologist has a vast knowledge of fairie stories. But the story that seems to be playing out could lead to Wendell's death. 

This was another engaging historical fantasy complete with footnotes. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the wide variety of fae creatures involved. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
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Monday, February 3, 2025

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 3, 2025)

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.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

We had a nice week to end January. We had our January thaw with one day reaching a high of 42 degrees and most of the rest of the week with highs in the 30s. Then the snow rolled in for the weekend. My brother says there is about 8 inches of the fluffy stuff in our driveway. He's out snowblowing before he has to get ready for work.

Snow meant chili was on the menu. My brother made the chili, and I made the cornbread. I also made a crockpot casserole this week using frozen meatballs which had been in the freezer for quite a while and other things in the refrigerator that needed using. I was inspired by a recipe I saw while watching Reels this week. It turned out pretty well. 

This was another massive week for my TBR pile. BookBub and BookPerks had lots of good deals. I added quite a few books that were the first books in series that I haven't read. Not that I need any more unfinished series on my stack, but I was curious about them. I even got the first Hercule Poirot. I don't think I've ever read any of the Hercule Poirot mysteries. 

I also added four more review copies to my stack including Nora Roberts' 2025 standalone which I was invited to read. 

I filled out my March calendar and discovered that it will be mostly full of review copies even though I'm starting reading March releases for posting the last week of February. I have only four spots for books from my TBR pile and I've chosen three of them. With so many review copies, I only have room for six audiobooks, and I've already read and scheduled the reviews for two of them. 

January Report

Despite what my Goodreads Challenge says, I read 32 books in January. Twenty were mine and twelve were review copies. Of the twenty that were mine, ten were from the TBR pile and ten were rereads. Also, sixteen of the twenty were audiobooks. Mysteries and Romance dominated my reading this month with many books being both. 

I added 89 books to my LibraryThing account in January. Twenty-nine of the additions were review copies. Seven were audiobooks. Six of the audiobooks were from Chirp. BookBub emails led to 26, BookPerks emails led to eight, and I took advantage of one Kindle Daily Deal. I did not buy any print books in January. I have only read one of my January additions so far, but the two I'm currently reading were purchased in January.

With these new additions, my TBR collection rose to 2585 which does not include review copies. My total collection, not including Review copies, numbers 7038.

Here is my State of the Stack post as of February 1.

Read Last Week
  • The Dead Letter Delivery by C. J. Archer (Mine since March 8, 2024) -- Fourth in the Glass Library series. This is a combination of fantasy, historical fiction and alternate history. My review will be posted on February 13.
  • Born in Fire by Nora Roberts (Chirp Audiobook; Mine since November 12, 2024) -- This is contemporary romance by a master of the genre and is the first in a trilogy. My review will be posted on February 27.
  • My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh (Mine since February 12, 2024) -- Contemporary romance that is also a sports romance. Fun story. My review will be posted on February 15.
  • Born in Ice by Nora Roberts (Chirp Audiobook; Mine since November 12, 2024) -- Second in the Concannon Sisters trilogy. Great romance. My review will be posted on March 6.
  • A Slash of Emerald by Patrice McDonough (Review; February 25) -- Second Dr. Julia Grey historical mystery. My review will be posted on February 18.
  • Born in Shame by Nora Roberts (Chirp Audiobook, Mine since November 12, 2024) -- Finale of the Concannon Sisters trilogy. My review will be posted on March 20.
  • I Died for Beauty by Amanda Flower (Review; February 25) -- Third Emily Dickinson mystery. My review will be posted on February 19.
  • The Pirate by Jayne Ann Krentz (Chirp Audiobook; Mine since July 24, 2023) -- Contemporary romance by a favorite author. I originally read this one before 2008. My review will be posted on February 22.
Currently
  • Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen (Mine since January 25, 2025)
  • Seeing Further edited by Bill Bryson (Mine since January 27, 2025) -- I'm making this history of science book my "slow and steady" read. I plan to read a chapter a day. I'm at 17% before today's chapter.
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:

Audiobooks
  • Revenge at Ravenswick by Kelly Oliver (Kindle for $2.99, Chirp audiobook for $.99)
  • Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (BookBub for $1.99; Audiobook Add-On for $3.99)
BookBub
  • The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (BookBub, $1.99) -- I keep seeing this one around
  • Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower (BookBub, $.99) -- I enjoy the author and this is first in a series I haven't started yet
  • Quicksilver by Amanda Quick (BookBub, $1.99) -- Kindle copy of a book in my keeper collection
BookPerks
  • Seeing Further edited by Bill Bryson (BookPerks, $1.99) -- Chosen for my "slow and steady" read because I'm fascinated by the history of science
  • Killing Orders by Sara Paretsky (BookPerks, $1.99) -- Early book in the V. I. Warshawski series
Kindle & Kindle Daily Deal
  • My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh (Kindle, $4.99) -- bought because I liked My Phony Valentine
  • The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths (Kindle Daily Deal, $1.99) -- next in the Brighton Murders
What was your week like?
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Saturday, February 1, 2025

State of the Stack #161 (February 1, 2025)

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 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.
  1. Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb (January 29)
  2. An Excellent Thing in a Woman by Allison Montclair (January 30)
  3. Change of Heart by Dr. Cristina LePort (February 1)
  4. Diviner's Bow by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (March 29)
  5. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Stories by Heather Fawcett (February 4)
  6. Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan (February 5)
  7. The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict (February 6)
  8. No Comfort for the Dead by R. P. O'Donnell (February 8)
  9. Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong (February 11)
  10. Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson (February 12)
  11. A Slash of Emerald by Patrice McDonough (February 18)
  12. I Died for Beauty by Amanda Flower (February 19)
DNF
  1.  
Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.
  1. Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz (January 1)
  2. Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert (January 2)
  3. Track Her Down by Melinda Leigh (January 8)
  4. The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany (January 9)
  5. A Death in Diamonds by S J Bennett (January 14)
  6. A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado (January 14)
  7. Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove (January 15)
  8. Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow (January 16)
  9. Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (January 22)
  10. Head Cases by John McMahon (January 23)
New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.
  1. White Queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado (March 11)
  2. Code Word Romance by Callie Walker (March 18)
  3. Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell (March 25)
  4. A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper (April 8)
  5. A Lethal Engagement by April J. Skelly (April 22)
  6. Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss (April 29)
  7. Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates (May 6)
  8. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (May 6)
  9. The Fatal Scroll by Eric Siblin (May 6)
  10. Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh (May 6)
  11. No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack (May 13)
  12. Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines (May 27)
  13. Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (May 27)
  14. He's to Die For by Erin Dunn (June 3)
  15. A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge by Kate Khavari (June 10)
  16. Believe Me Now by S. M. Govett (June 10)
  17. The Secrets We Keep by Amy Lillard (June 24)
  18. Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath (June 24)
  19. Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert (July 8)
  20. Fateless by Julie Kagawa (July 15)
  21. Death of an Ex by Delia Pitts (July 15)
  22. Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods (July 15)
  23. The Last Wizard's Ball by Charlaine Harris (July 22)
  24. Picking Up the Pieces by J. B. Abbott (August 12)
  25. A Lethal Cocktail by Ciar Byrne (August 26)
  26. A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau (September 16)
  27. Murder in Miniature by Katie Tietjen (September 23)
All TBR Review Books

March

April
May
June
July 
 
August
September


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ARC Review: Change of Heart by Cristina LePort, MD

Change of Heart
Author: Cristina LePort, MD
Series: Miner & Mulville (Book 2)
Publication: Bancroft Press (February 4, 2025)

Description: In the bustling heart of New York City, a young medical student’s life is tragically cut short, though her heart continues to beat, holding the promise of life for another. Detective Kirk Miner is called to the scene and quickly uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving organ donations and high-stakes crime. As the investigation unfolds, Miner realizes the case is far more complex and dangerous than it initially seemed.

Enter FBI Agent Jack Mulville, who steps in to supervise Special Agent Charlotte Bloom as they join forces with Miner. Together, they unravel a web of corruption, revealing that Amy Winter's death is connected to a ruthless organ trafficking ring.

Amy Winter, a promising pre-med student, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her death triggers an investigation that pulls Miner, Mulville, and Bloom into a labyrinth of deceit and desperation. As they dig deeper, they discover that Amy's heart is not just a donor's gift but a coveted prize in a deadly game controlled by criminals willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden.

The quest for justice takes Miner, Mulville, and Bloom through the shadowy underbelly of organ trafficking, revealing the lengths to which people will go to secure life-saving transplants. Amidst the danger, they face moral dilemmas and personal risks, pushing them to their limits as they strive to protect innocent lives and dismantle a powerful criminal network.

"Change of Heart" is a gripping medical thriller that intertwines the intricacies of modern medicine with the relentless pursuit of justice. Cristina LePort, M.D., masterfully combines her medical expertise with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, delivering a novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Dr. LePort is an accomplished physician with a passion for weaving medical knowledge into thrilling narratives. Her extensive background in medicine lends authenticity and depth to her stories, making the Miner & Mulville series a unique blend of fact and fiction.

My Thoughts: This medical thriller was strong on medical information which isn't much of a surprise given that the author is a doctor. The central plot is that someone is killing people in order to get their organs for transplant. 

It starts with the death of a young medical student outside New York Medical Center which brings in former cop, current private investigator Kirk Miner who has a sort of specialty in medical crimes. But soon the FBI is involved including FBI Director Jack Mulville and is new protegee probationary agent Charlotte Bloom. 

Charlotte is willing to do anything to prove herself to her mentor and gain her place as a full-fledged FBI Agent. One of the things she is willing to do in ignore who own health until she has reached her goal. She has severe heart disease and is in need of a heart transplant herself. 

This case slots in nicely with her goals, but she soon finds herself more central than she had wished to be when it turns out that some of the crime exists because of her need for a heart.

The story began slowly for me, but once I got about 20% into it, it picked up the pace. That was the point that made me invested in the characters and eager to see how things would work out. While Charlotte's involvement stretched coincidence almost to the breaking point, I did ultimately enjoy the story. 

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