ARC Review: Redemption by Deborah J. Ledford

Redemption
Author: Deborah J. Ledford
Series: Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran (Book 1)
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (September 1, 2023)

Description: From award-winning author Deborah J Ledford comes a thrilling new series featuring a Native American sheriff’s deputy who risks it all to find a friend who’s gone missing.

After four women disappear from the Taos Pueblo reservation, Deputy Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran dives into the case. For her, it’s personal. Among the missing is her best friend, Paloma, a heroin addict who left behind an eighteen-year-old son.

Eva senses a lack of interest from the department as she embarks on the investigation. But their reluctance only fuels her fire. Eva teams up with tribal police officer and longtime friend Cruz “Wolf Song” Romero to tackle a mystery that could both ruin her reputation and threaten her standing in the tribe.

And when the missing women start turning up dead, Eva uncovers clues that take her deeper into the reservation’s protected secrets. As Eva races to find Paloma before it’s too late, she will face several tests of loyalty—to her friend, her culture, and her tribe.

My Thoughts: REDEMPTION is the first in a new contemporary series starring a Native American Sheriff's Deputy who is willing to put it all on the line to find her missing friend. Paloma has been her friend since childhood. But a car accident that killed her husband and two others and left her severely injured has left her with chronic pain an addiction to any sort of drug she can find to relieve it. Paloma was once the most famous hoop dancer in the Southwest. 

When Paloma goes missing only Eva and Paloma's eighteen-year-old son Kai are willing to look for her. Paloma has burned her bridges with the tribe because she was stealing in order to support her habit. 

This story is told from multiple viewpoints. We hear from Eva, and from Kai, and from Paloma, and from Alice the traveling nurse who is determined to find a cure for the drug addiction that is making inroads on the reservation and who especially wants to save Paloma since she has been a fan since she first saw her dance.

The story deals with real life problems. Drug addiction and dealing in drugs find a fertile ground on Indian reservations for a number of reasons including their large size and sparse population. This story also deals with people trying to meet other people's expectations which is something Eva is dealing with being the only Native American and one of few women in the Sheriff's Department. 

This story wasn't a who dunnit. We knew the criminal. We knew her motives and watched her mental state deteriorate. The tension came from wondering if Eva would be able to follow the clues fast enough to save her friend before the villain killed her accidentally. 

I liked the action. The rafting scenes to get to a body were graphic and exciting. I liked the characters. 

Favorite Quote:

"Now what?" Kai asked. 

"Now we wait for the cavalry."

"Because that worked out so good for our people in the past," Kai deadpanned.

She almost laughed, then caught his serious tone and spiraled down the path of doubt, right along with the younger member of her community.

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

Book Review: Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

Spellbreaker
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Series: Spellbreaker (Book 1)
Publication: 47North (November 1, 2020)

Description: A world of enchanted injustice needs a disenchanting woman in an all-new fantasy series by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician.

The orphaned Elsie Camden learned as a girl that there were two kinds of wizards in the world: those who pay for the power to cast spells and those, like her, born with the ability to break them. But as an unlicensed magic user, her gift is a crime. Commissioned by an underground group known as the Cowls, Elsie uses her spellbreaking to push back against the aristocrats and help the common man. She always did love the tale of Robin Hood.

Elite magic user Bacchus Kelsey is one elusive spell away from his mastership when he catches Elsie breaking an enchantment. To protect her secret, Elsie strikes a bargain. She’ll help Bacchus fix unruly spells around his estate if he doesn’t turn her in. Working together, Elsie’s trust in—and fondness for—the handsome stranger grows. So does her trepidation about the rise in the murders of wizards and the theft of the spellbooks their bodies leave behind.

For a rogue spellbreaker like Elsie, there’s so much to learn about her powers, her family, the intriguing Bacchus, and the untold dangers shadowing every step of a journey she’s destined to complete. But will she uncover the mystery before it’s too late to save everything she loves?

My Thoughts: Elsie Camden is a spellbreaker. She is unregistered and using her powers is illegal. She was also abandoned by her family when she was six and soon found herself in a workhouse. She was rescued from the workhouse by an organization she calls the Cowls. For the fifteen years since her abandonment, she has been doing jobs for the Cowls which they send her in letters. She sees herself as a sort of Robin Hood helping to make magic available to help people. 

She is caught undoing a spell by Bacchus Kelsey and blackmailed by him to use her ability to help him. Bacchus is in England trying to buy a spell which will help him and his people. Bacchus is the bastard son of an Englishman. He lives in Barbados. As Elsie gets to know him, she begins to like him.

Elsie learns that Bacchus has had a secret spell laid on him which mimics polio and sucks energy from him. The spell he wants to buy would let him remain ambulatory when the current spell holding the polio back wears out. Those who control the spell won't allow him to buy it. Once Elsie discovers it, she agrees to remove it leaving the mystery of who placed the spell on him in the first place. Elsie and Bacchus are also looking into another mystery. Someone is killing magic users and stealing the opus that remains when a magician dies. 

The story had interesting worldbuilding and an intriguing system of magic. I really liked Elsie and understood how she could have been drawn into the conspiracy. Her abandonment as a child made her particularly susceptible to anyone who seemed to want her and value her. 

This is the first of a duology which means that the ending is unresolved. I'm eager to read the next story to learn more about these intriguing characters and see the end of the mystery.

Favorite Quote:

"Sometimes I wonder if it's better to be informed or ignorant. Or, rather, informed and depressed, or ignorant and happy."

Elsie nodded. "If only one could be informed and happy."

I got this one from Kindle First. You can buy your copy here.

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 Memes: The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith

 Happy Friday everybody!

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

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.

ARC Review: A Glimmer of Hope by Steve McHugh

A Glimmer of Hope
Author: Steve McHugh
Series: The Avalon Chronicles (Book 1)
Publication: 47North (April 1, 2018)

Description: Layla Cassidy has always wanted a normal life, and the chance to put her father’s brutal legacy behind her. And in her final year of university she’s finally found it. Or so she thinks.

But when Layla accidentally activates an ancient scroll, she is bestowed with an incredible, inhuman power. She plunges into a dangerous new world, full of mythical creatures and menace—all while a group of fanatics will stop at nothing to turn her abilities to their cause.

To protect those she loves most, Layla must take control of her new powers…before they destroy her. All is not yet lost—there is a light shining, but Layla must survive long enough to see it.

My Thoughts: This is an urban fantasy with a richly developed world filled with a secret society that rules it all, werewolves, ogres, red caps, and other creatures pulled from mythology. Layla gets pulled into this world when she is kidnapped by Elias Wells, the red cap, and in an escape attempt bleeds on a scroll which causes her to inherit the demon trapped in it and the three other persons who previously held the scroll.

Layla has been laying low, attending university, and taking MMA classes. Her father is a well-known serial killer who was caught when she was fourteen. He taught her to fight and use weapons when she was a child. She loved him and felt particularly betrayed when his secret life came to light. She is one of the few people who know where he is imprisoned but has refused to communicate with him since his incarceration.

Layla has been building a safe life with just a couple trusted friends until everything is disrupted by her kidnapping. Now, she has to find a way to take control of her new powers which include the ability to control metal won't be easy since her demon is determined to take control of her and kill everyone she has ever loved. She is also feeling betrayed again because she learns that Chloe who has become her best friend was assigned to watch over her by this same secret society.

The book is stronger on world building than it is on character development. Layla seems to be particularly one-note until quite late in the book. Her desire not to unleash the anger inside her and her sense of betrayal are her primary motivations and are frequently referred to. Though the characters could be more well-rounded, the story does not lack in action. There are frequent battles as the good guys confront the bad guys. There is also some humor as Layla banters with her friend Chloe and her friend Henry.

Fans of action in their urban fantasy will enjoy this story.

Favorite Quote:

She refused to become her father's daughter. She refused to allow that enjoyment of violence to turn her into a new version of him.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from Amazon through the Kindle First program. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

Stillhouse Lake
Author: Rachel Caine
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (July 1, 2017)

Description: Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

My Thoughts: This very tense thriller tells the story of a woman who was married to a serial killer but had no idea of his crimes. After being acquitted of being an accomplice, Gina Royal who has now renamed herself Gwen Proctor has fled with her children to get away from the "good" people who are constantly harassing them because they feel she must have known what her husband was doing.

Gwen has uprooted her two kids a number of times when the harassers got too close but now has come to settle on remote Stillhouse Lake in Tennessee. She is ready to pick up her kids and run at any time but hopes, primarily for her kids' welfare, not to have to run again. She is tentatively making some contacts with the guy who runs the gun range and another guy who is renting a cabin for a few months to write a book. Otherwise her only contact is online with a man named Absalom who helps her when she needs to check out some new contact or start a new identity.

She is getting settled in when a body is found in the lake and she becomes a person of interest in a crime again. It becomes even worse when a second body is found. She is under suspicion from the police who bring her in for questioning and she doesn't know who she can trust. Her main focus is to protect her children. She will do anything to keep them safe.

This story gives a very chilling picture of what it would be like to be accused of a crime you didn't commit but to be convicted by the court of public opinion. The descriptions of the vitriolic messages she gets from people who don't know her but have condemned her anyway were chilling. The fear that those people wouldn't be satisfied with venting their spleen via social media would terrify any parent.

I couldn't put this one down and read it in one day.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what happens next because this one had a cliffhanger ending.

Favorite Quote:

It's ironic that there are protection programs for witnesses, but not for us. Never for us.

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

ARC Review: Signature Wounds by Kirk Russell

Signature Wounds
Author: Kirk Russell
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (March 1, 2017)

Description: While in Las Vegas on his way to a family Fourth of July celebration, FBI bomb expert Paul Grale hears a deep blast and sees the smoke rising. In an unfolding nightmare, Grale discovers his sister, brother-in-law, and many friends were caught up in the explosion. Grief stricken, he is pulled from the main bomb investigation to sift orphan leads. Quietly he begins a relentless search for the bomb maker.

When the FBI suspects his friend and disgruntled former drone pilot for the blast, Grale thinks they’re getting it all wrong. Propelled by deep personal loss and an intense need to do the right thing, he picks his way through the smallest of leads and into a maze of twists, turns, and sudden dead ends. When he uncovers another threat, time is already quickly running out. With the lives of so many at stake, Grale won’t let himself fail—and he won’t rest until there’s justice for his family.

Adrenalized, gripping, and all too timely, Signature Wounds brings terror to Vegas and introduces FBI special agent and bomb tech Paul Grale, a man whose specialized skill and fierce determination are a lethal combination.

My Thoughts: FBI bomb expert Paul Grale is one his way to his sister and brother-in-law's Fourth of July party when the unthinkable happens. A bomb goes off using stolen C-4 and killing his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. It also leaves his sixteen-year-old niece grieving and fighting for her life.

Paul is immediately immersed in the investigation while grieving himself and worrying about his niece. The case gets complicated very quickly when agents from a variety of Federal agencies get involved. Paul feels that they are following a false trail when they target his friend Jeremy Beatty who used to be an Air Force drone pilot until he was medically discharged with PTSD. Beatty got on the DoD's radar when he was hired to teach pilots to fly drones in the Far East.

Now, Paul is trying to exonerate his friend and track down the elusive bomber before he uses the rest of the C-4 and destroys another target in Las Vegas.

This was a fast-paced thriller with a plot ripped from the headlines. Sleeper terrorist cells, Latin American drug cartels, and the whole rise in popularity of drones both in the military and as weapons for terrorists keep this story moving.

I liked Paul who had a dogged determination to find and stop the bomber. I liked that he had connections with a number of law enforcement organizations. I liked that he was at odds with his supervisor in the FBI but found ways to work around him.

Fans of thrillers will find much to enjoy in this one.

Favorite Quote:

"What's wrong with the drone pilots, Eddie?"

"Nothing is wrong. They're all good, but I need the FBI off my back. I need everything to do with you out of my life. I'm going to give you money. Ten thousand dollars and until noon today to give me an answer."

I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Kindle First. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Signature Wounds by Kirk Russell

Happy Friday everybody!

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

Beginning:

The plane was a well-cared-for Cessna 182T owned by a retired American couple. Their bodies lay on the airstrip at their ranch in Mexico as their plane flew west toward the orange sunset.

Friday 56:

"A bomb exploded in the bar area when you were in the bathroom. You and another boy are the only survivors."

This week I am reading a book I got from Kindle First. Signature Wounds by Kirk Russell is a thriller from Thomas & Mercer. Here is the description:

While in Las Vegas on his way to a family Fourth of July celebration, FBI bomb expert Paul Grale hears a deep blast and sees the smoke rising. In an unfolding nightmare, Grale discovers his sister, brother-in-law, and many friends were caught up in the explosion. Grief stricken, he is pulled from the main bomb investigation to sift orphan leads. Quietly he begins a relentless search for the bomb maker.

When the FBI suspects his friend and disgruntled former drone pilot for the blast, Grale thinks they’re getting it all wrong. Propelled by deep personal loss and an intense need to do the right thing, he picks his way through the smallest of leads and into a maze of twists, turns, and sudden dead ends. When he uncovers another threat, time is already quickly running out. With the lives of so many at stake, Grale won’t let himself fail—and he won’t rest until there’s justice for his family.

Adrenalized, gripping, and all too timely, Signature Wounds brings terror to Vegas and introduces FBI special agent and bomb tech Paul Grale, a man whose specialized skill and fierce determination are a lethal combination.

ARC Review: Venom & Vanilla by Shannon Mayer

Venom & Vanilla
Author: Shannon Mayer
Series: The Venom Trilogy (Book 1)
Publication: 47North (November 1, 2016)

Description: Successful Seattle baker Alena Budrene doesn’t want to die. But when she’s infected with a lethal virus spread by supernatural beings, her only chance for recovery is to make a deal with the devil—or in this case, a warlock.

Though he saves her life, it looks nothing like the life she once knew—and neither does she. Alena is a new breed of “Supe” no one has ever seen before. Even the supernatural police don’t know what she is. Now exiled to the northern side of the Wall, which marks the divide between humans and Supes, Alena is thrust into a dark and magical new world.

But just as she begins to adjust to all things supernatural, she realizes that her transformation is the least of her worries—and it was no accident. She was chosen…to be killed by a Greek hero trying to make a name for himself once more.

Alena was brought up to be subservient, preferring creating to fighting, and vanilla and honey to blood. But that was then. Now, to survive, she must stand up for herself—and this time she’s got fangs. But will she be ready to use them?

My Thoughts: This was a fun urban fantasy novel. Alena begins the book dying of a rare virus. Her only hope is to be turned into a supernatural. However, Alena was raised in a strict fundamentalist church that is opposed to all supernaturals. She is meek, modest, and subservient to her husband. But when she learns that her husband has already found her replacement and plans to sell her beloved bakery, Alena finds her assertive side.

She is turned into an unusual supernatural by Merlin. Turns out she is a monster destined to by slain by Achilles. But Alena isn't ready to accept her fate. She reconnects with the brother she thought was dead but who is now a Naga. Learns family secrets from her outrageous grandmother. And decides to change her fate.

Though she has trouble letting go of her useless specimen of a husband, she becomes attracted to the powerful and sexy leader of the vampires. She feels guilty despite the fact that her husband was cheating on her. Alena begins to embrace her assertive side but she is still very conservative in her language. Part of the humor in this story comes from her attempts to swear but "donkey butt" is about the worst she can come up with.

This story creates an interesting world filled with supernaturals but also reincarnated gods and heroes from mythology. I liked that Zeus's current kingdom was a Big Box store. Alena gets advice and guidance from Eros, who prefers to be called Ernie, but isn't sure if she can trust him because he seems to be shifting sides with each utterance.

This series has possibilities. I'll be eager to read more.

Favorite Quote:

"No, no. You need a thong for those leggings. Otherwise your panty line shows, and that would be a crime against your nature. Friends don't let friends be frumpy." Ernie threw a piece of string at me. String. I held it up on one finger. Make that three pieces of string. "This. Is not underwear."

I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Kindle First. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella

Ghost Gifts
Author: Laura Spinella
Publication: Montlake Romance (March 1, 2016)

Description: All Aubrey Ellis wants is a normal life, one that doesn’t include desperate pleas from the dead. Her remarkable gift may help others rest in peace, but it also made for an unsettling childhood and destroyed her marriage. Finally content as the real estate writer for a local newspaper, Aubrey keeps her extraordinary ability hidden—until she is unexpectedly assigned the story of a decades-old murder.

Rocked by the discovery of a young woman’s skeletal remains, the New England town of Surrey wants answers. Hard-nosed investigative reporter Levi St John is determined to get them. Aubrey has no choice but to get involved, even at the terrifying risk of stirring spirits connected to a dead woman’s demise and piquing her new reporting partner’s suspicions.

As Aubrey and Levi delve further into the mystery, secrets are revealed and passion ignites. It seems that Aubrey’s ghost gifts are poised to deliver everything but a normal life.

My Thoughts: Aubrey Ellis has made a comfortable life for herself as a reporter concentrating on real estate profiles in the small town of Surrey. She had a very different childhood traveling from place to place with her Grandmother's carnival after losing her parents in a car accident. Aubrey also has to deal with ghosts. Some come to her to get resolution of unfinished business from their lives; others are evil remnants. Aubrey never knows what kind of ghost it will be. Often the ghosts leave her with tangible gifts - marbles, dried flowers, post cards. Often, also, the resolution isn't immediate.

Aubrey is also in the process of a divorce that she really doesn't want. She married Owen after a whirlwind courtship thinking that he wanted the same things she did - a small town, a house with a white picket fence, a couple of kids - but Owen is a computer expert who deals with security issues who is constantly on the move.

When a body is discovered bricked up in the walls of a house owned by Dustin Byrd, it reopens a twenty-year-old missing person case. Missy Flanagan disappeared just before she turned twenty-one and ex-Army vet Frank Delacort was quickly convicted on circumstantial evidence of her murder. He has spent the past twenty years in prison. Aubrey doesn't want anything to do with the new investigation since the last thing she wants to do is deal with an angry, revenge seeking ghost but she is soon paired up with Levi St. John, a hotshot reporter sent in by the owners of the newspaper. Together the two investigate the life of Missy Flanagan and the events of her life. A good part of the story has to do with Aubrey finding someone who really understood her unique gift.

The story has a number of flashbacks to Aubrey's childhood and to the time when Missy goes missing. Getting Missy' story from her point of view lets us know a lot more than Aubrey and Levi do as they investigate. I liked the tension between Aubrey and Levi who have very different viewpoints about the natures of reality and who have very different personalities. I also liked that they became friends before their relationship took a turn for the romantic.

I really enjoyed this fast paced mystery filled with intriguing characters.

Favorite Quote:

"So what you're telling me is you see—"

"If you're about to say 'I see dead people,' I'm so not continuing this conversation."

"But that's what you're telling me, that's what you're asking me to believe."

"That's what I'm telling you. Believing it is strictly your call."

I got this one via the Kindle First program in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Harmony Black by Cragi Schaefer

Harmony Black
Author: Craig Schaefer
Series: Harmony Black (Book 1)
Publication: 47North (February 1, 2016)

Description: Harmony Black is much more than your average FBI special agent. In addition to being a practicing witch, she’s also an operative for Vigilant Lock, an off-the-books program created to battle occult threats—by any means necessary. Despite her dedication to fighting the monsters threatening society, Harmony has become deeply conflicted about her job. Her last investigation resulted in a pile of dead bodies, and she suspects the wrong people are being punished for it.

While on a much-needed vacation, Harmony gets pulled back into action. This time, though, she’s gone from solo work to being part of a team. Their target: the Bogeyman, a vicious and elusive figure…and the creature that destroyed Harmony’s childhood.

Surrounded by quirky, fascinating characters as dedicated to one another as they are to their new partner, Harmony must learn to trust her team—and a new romantic interest—on a dangerous and deadly mission that conjures up memories she’d much rather forget.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the book which begins a new series that combines two of my favorite genres - urban fantasy and mystery. Harmony Black is a straight-arrow FBI agent who also happens to be a practicing witch. She is recruited to be part of a secret FBI operation and sent to Talbot Cove to investigate the disappearance of some children.

Harmony knows Talbot Cove. She was born there and lived there until she was six years old. She and her mother left town after her little sister Angie was taken and her father, the sheriff, killed trying to save his daughter. Harmony was sure that it was the Bogeyman but the police were looking for a more rational explanation.

Since then Harmony has had other encounters with the strange. Being back in Talbot Cove with her partner was was raised by a serial killer, a computer hacker, and an old pro in a wheelchair, Harmony has to find out why the Bogeyman has come back. And she and the team have to find a way to stop him.

I liked the characters and the relationship between Harmony and her new partner Jessie. I also liked that she got to meet a childhood friend who is now a Deputy. I liked the supernatural bounty hunters. While neither one cared much for humans, Fontaine proved himself useful while Nyx made an excellent secondary villain.

I am eager to read more in this new series.

Favorite Quote:

"Okay," Kevin said,"want some weird? Here's some weird. We've got only partial blueprints, scanned in from the originals. I'm showing first-floot access to a pretty good-size cellar. The cellar itself? Not shown. Probably want to check that out."

"The cellar," I said. "Great. Because nothing bad ever happens in the cellars of creepy old houses."

I got this one through the Kindle First program. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons

The Short Drop
Author: Matthew FitzSimmons
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (December 1, 2015)

Description: A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.

For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.

Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth.

My Thoughts: THE SHORT DROP was a taut, fast-paced and twisty thriller. Gibson Vaughn gets caught up when new evidence surfaces regarding the disappearance of Suzanne Lombard who was almost like a sister to him. Ten years have gone by and Gibson is still wondering what happened to his childhood friend. During those ten years he has married, divorced, and has a six-year-old daughter. He also has a checkered past since he was convicted of hacking into Benjamin Lombard's files and finding evidence of corruption. However, Lombard - then a senator and now vice president campaigning for the nomination for the presidency, is not a forgiving man and has made Gibson's job hunting as an IT guy nearly impossible.

Gibson is called in by the former head of Lombard's security when the new evidence is found. He needs to use his computer skills to track down who sent it. He is hoping to finally get some answers about the fate of his friend. But there are equally powerful forces who want information about Suzanne to stay buried and they are willing to leave a trail of bodies behind to preserve the secret.

I liked Gibson who was determined to find answers despite being out of his depth and in danger from a variety of enemies. I stayed up quite late because I couldn't put this book down until I found out what had happened to Suzanne and learned if Gibson would survive.

Fans of political thrillers will enjoy this fast-paced thriller.

Favorite Quote:

An eternal truth of the human condition was that no one ever thought they were evil. No matter how reprehensible their actions, people always convinced themselves they were justified.

I chose this one for review from Kindle First. You can buy your copy here.