Teaser Tuesday: Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

The pirate then turned to Jane and grunted. "This one is distinctly unpretty, and I'm not likely to sell her. One hundred and fifty pounds."

This week my teaser comes from Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal. This is the fourth book in her Glamourist Histories series. Here is the description from Amazon:

Acclaimed fantasist Mary Robinette Kowal has enchanted many fans with her beloved novels featuring a Regency setting in which magic--known here as glamour--is real. In Valour and Vanity, master glamourists Jane and Vincent find themselves in the sort of a magical adventure that might result if Jane Austen wrote Ocean's Eleven.

After Melody's wedding, the Ellsworths and Vincents accompany the young couple on their tour of the continent. Jane and Vincent plan to separate from the party and travel to Murano to study with glassblowers there, but their ship is set upon by Barbary corsairs while en route. It is their good fortune that they are not enslaved, but they lose everything to the pirates and arrive in Murano destitute.

Jane and Vincent are helped by a kind local they meet en route, but Vincent is determined to become self-reliant and get their money back, and hatches a plan to do so. But when so many things are not what they seem, even the best laid plans conceal a few pitfalls. The ensuing adventure is a combination of the best parts of magical fantasy and heist novels, set against a glorious Regency backdrop.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Dec. 7, 2015)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? was a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. She has decided to pass it on to 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 quiet week with lovely weather for December in Minnesota. We are expecting temperatures in the 40s which began on Friday to continue for the next week. Needless to say, we haven't any snow. My cross-country skiing friends are lamenting but I like being snow-free. Big, puffy flakes on Christmas Eve would be enough for me.

Our contract negotiators had a mediation session on Thursday and have come to a tentative contract agreement. We'll see it and be voting early next week. Our health insurance costs have caused our members with family insurance to take a pay cut of about $400 a month. I can see why they want a good settlement. I'm not on the school district insurance any more since I reached Medicare age. I wasn't feeling their pain.

On the blogging front, I got the Macmillan Spring 2016 catalog and requested 11 ARCs. They say that they fill requests on a first come, first served basis. We'll see how many I get when I request on the first day they are available. I concentrated on mysteries and middle grade books this time.

Read Last Week

I read two January releases from my review stack this week.

Unholy Blue by Darby Kaye is an excellent urban fantasy. It is the second book in the Bannerman Boru series. This one is about building a relationship between two strong, stubborn adults along with fighting all sorts of legendary creatures. My review will be posted on January 16.

The 8th Circle by Sarah Cain was a tense, gritty thriller with all characters colored in shades of gray. The hero was an abused child currently suffering from depression after the death of his wife and child who is forced back into life when a friend dies on his front lawn. My review will be posted on January 14.

Currently

I am currently reading Night Study by Maria V. Snyder. I love her study series.

Next Week

I plan to read two books this week that have been on my TBR mountain for years.

Sweet and Deadly by Charlaine Harris was added to my stack on February 19, 2008 and She's No Angel by Leslie Kelly was added the same day.

Reviews Posted

• In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler
• Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
• She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh

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

Gail Carriger recommended Ridiculous by D. L. Carter and, since it was an inexpensive ebook and I love Carriger's books, I added it to my stack.

Grave Danger by Rachel Grant was a thriller that caught my eye when I got my daily email about ebook bargains.

I also got End Game by Tess Diamond from the author so that I can find out how things work out in this thriller trilogy that has major cliffhanger endings to each of the first two books. These are novella length books. I hope to read it really soon.

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

ARC Review: She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh

She Can Kill
Author: Melinda Leigh
Series: She Can series
Publication: Montlake Romance (December 8, 2015)

Description: Reformed assassin Cristan Rojas just wants to raise his daughter in peace. But after twelve years on the run, he learns that even the quiet little town of Westbury, Pennsylvania, has many hidden dangers. Although he can’t shake the feeling he’s under surveillance, Cristan’s attraction to Sarah Mitchell continues to grow, as do his concerns that his secret past could jeopardize anyone who gets too close to him.

Sarah is ready to start her life over with her children, a new job, and a budding romance. Her newfound happiness is threatened when her ex-husband becomes increasingly violent—and she soon learns her ex isn’t the only person stalking her.

Cristan fears someone from his past has arrived in town, someone far worse than a jealous ex. Someone who may be responsible for a brutal—and unsolved—murder a dozen years ago. To protect Sarah and his daughter, he must shine a light into the darkest recesses of his nightmarish past.

My Thoughts: Melinda Leigh has written another engaging romantic suspense novel. Cristan and his daughter Lucia have been on the run for twelve years. Every since they survived the massacre of all of his wife's family, they have been hiding and trying to stay away from the leader of the rival criminal family who has vowed to wipe out Cristan's entire family. Now that Lucia is thirteen, she is not as easily uprooted and Cristan hopes to be able to stay in quiet, little Westbury, Pennsylvania. But settling down leaves them open to being found. Cristan has rebuilt his life; he is no longer the orphan from Buenos Aires who was taken in by a gun runner and raised to be his loyal soldier. He would very much like to live in peace.

Sarah is also trying to rebuild her life. She has finally divorced the man whose last tantrum broke her arm and gave her a concussion. She wants to make a good life for herself and her daughters but her ex-husband is threatening her and harassing her. Since he is able to put on the charm when he needs to, he has convinced a judge to allow unsupervised visitation with their two young daughters.

Cristan and Sarah have gotten to know each other because Lucia babysits for the girls.

Soon both are being threatened. We know that Sarah's main threats come from her ex-husband Troy. Cristan's threats are coming from an unnamed viewpoint character that could be the woman who has sworn revenge or someone else from his past.

I enjoyed this thriller and had to keep reading to find out where the threats were coming from. I also enjoyed watching both Cristan and Sarah open up to a new relationship despite the bad relationships each had had in the past.

Fans of romantic suspense won't want to miss this latest book in the SHE CAN series.

Favorite Quote:

Sean waited until Mike left the diner. Then he ate the last bite of his pie. "If Troy hurts Sarah again, I'll help you dispose of the body." Though his grin and tone suggested humor, his eyes were serious.

"I suppose it's good to have friends."

"Damned straight."

But having an ally didn't mitigate Cristan's worries. Troy was unaccounted for. Who knew what he was planning?

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

Friday Memes: She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh

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:

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. it has been eighteen months since my last assassination.

Friday 56:

Cristan carefully slid two fingers into the chest pocket of his wool coat. There was nothing in his wallet that could not be replace. Nothing that warranted risking his life to keep.

This week I am spotlighting She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh which is the latest in her She Can series. Here is the description from Amazon:

Reformed assassin Cristan Rojas just wants to raise his daughter in peace. But after twelve years on the run, he learns that even the quiet little town of Westbury, Pennsylvania, has many hidden dangers. Although he can’t shake the feeling he’s under surveillance, Cristan’s attraction to Sarah Mitchell continues to grow, as do his concerns that his secret past could jeopardize anyone who gets too close to him.

Sarah is ready to start her life over with her children, a new job, and a budding romance. Her newfound happiness is threatened when her ex-husband becomes increasingly violent—and she soon learns her ex isn’t the only person stalking her.

Cristan fears someone from his past has arrived in town, someone far worse than a jealous ex. Someone who may be responsible for a brutal—and unsolved—murder a dozen years ago. To protect Sarah and his daughter, he must shine a light into the darkest recesses of his nightmarish past.

ARC Review: Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz

Secret Sisters
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publication: Berkley (December 8, 2015)

Description: Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters—until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth....

My Thoughts: This was another excellent romantic suspense title by Jayne Ann Krentz. Madeline has recently inherited her grandmother's boutique hotel chain after her death in a fire in her penthouse suite. Now she is called back to to Cooper Island in Washington by the caretaker of the hotel she and her grandmother had fled eighteen years earlier. She arrives just in time to hear the dying caretaker's last words and escape from whoever killed him. Her immediate response to call her head of security Jack Reyner.

Jack has started his own security company and was hired by Madeline's grandmother. Madeline tried to ease him out of the contract when she took over. But Jack wasn't willing to go. Jack is quick to head from Arizona to Washington to help Madeline. And together with Abe's brother and Madeline's childhood friend, they find themselves deep in a conspiracy with assorted murders that has its roots in the past.

The story is filled with secrets that are now coming to light and people who will do anything to keep the secrets buried. The trauma that sent Madeline and her grandmother away from the island has impacted all of Madeline's relationships. She is used to relationships not lasting because of her trust issues. Jack is also relationship-shy. However, they are both stubborn people who are attracted to each other. The way they courted wouldn't be universally approved but certainly worked for them.

I also liked the relationship between Jack's brother Abe and Madeline's friend Daphne. This is the first time I recall a Krentz book with a secondary romance going on. The strengths of this book include the relationships between the characters both the romances and the friendships.

The story also has an abundance of villains with a variety of motives. Xavier Webster was one creepy sociopath but the rest of his family was also scary. Throw in hedge fund hijinks and political ambitions and you have a story ripe with tension.

Fans of romantic suspense won't want to miss this exciting story.

Favorite Quote:

Perspective was everything. And yet nothing. The predators were out there, regardless of the size of your world, Madeline thought. But so was friendship. You just had to reach out and make it happen.

Maybe, just maybe, it was the same with love.

I was chosen on Facebook to be part of the review team. The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler

In the Company of Wolves
Author: Paige Tyler
Series: SWAT (Book 3)
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (December 1, 2015)

Description: He opened his mouth to order her to drop the MP5 she had aimed at him, but nothing would come out. It was like she'd robbed him of the ability to speak. Shooting her wasn't an option, though. And the idea of arresting her didn't make him feel any better.

There's a new gang of criminals in town who are organized and ruthless in the extreme. When Eric Becker, along with the rest of the Dallas SWAT team, ends up in the middle of a shootout, he immediately senses werewolves-a lot of them. Turns out, the new bad guys are a pack of wolf shifters.

In a spray of gunfire, Becker comes face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman he's ever seen. Becker does the logical thing. He hides her and leaves the scene with the rest of his team.

Jayna Winston has no idea why that SWAT guy helped her, but she's glad he did. Ever since she and her pack mates got mixed up with those Eastern European mobsters, everything had pretty much fallen apart.

So what's a street-savvy thief like Jayna going to do with a hot alpha-male wolf who's a police officer?

My Thoughts: Jayna became a werewolf when she was seventeen and assaulted and almost raped by her mother's latest boyfriend. She was taken in by Liam who became her alpha. Liam gathered a few other strays too and they became like family. But now Liam has thrown in with some Albanian mobsters and he is leading the rest of the pack into a life of crime. Jayna is trying to keep the rest of her pack safe.

Eric Becker is a new member of the Dallas SWAT and new to being a werewolf too. When he meets Jayna during a warehouse robbery, he believes that she is The One for him. He secretly goes undercover to join the gang and to protect Jayna. He does this without his alpha and his boss knowing anything about it.

Eric is determined to keep Jayna and her pack safe and also determined to convince her that she is the one for him. Jayna isn't sure she believes in this whole "The One" thing but she is willing to have a relationship with Eric.

There is lots of danger as Eric tries to find a way to get Jayna and the others in her pack away from their corrupt alpha. There is also danger that the Albanian mobsters will realize that he is a cop. Offsetting the danger is the love that grows between Eric and Jayna. The love scenes are nicely spicy.

This was another great addition to the SWAT series.

Favorite Quote:

Megan set down the last plate, then came around the table to take Jayna's hand in hers. "Sleeping with a guy isn't the same thing as opening your heart to him. It's about being willing to open yourself up and risk getting hurt for a chance at finding something real. That's not you, Jayna. You're really good at keeping people at a distance, you always have been. But I'm guessing Eric makes you feel things you've never felt for a guy, and it's freaking you out. And when you get freaked, you run."

I got this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. You can buy your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

She rushed to meet the emergency vehicles pulling into the drive. Mentally she made a list of what she could—and could not—tell the cops.

She had spent eighteen years keeping secrets. She was good at it.

This week my teaser comes from Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz. I was chosen on Facebook to be part of the review team. Here is the description from Amazon:

Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters—until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth....