Saturday, February 28, 2015

Book Review: The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

The Grendel Affair
Author: Lisa Shearin
Series: SPI Files (Book 1)
Publication: Ace; Reprint edition (December 31, 2013)

Description: We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. Things that go bump in the night, the monsters you thought didn’t exist? We battle them and keep you safe. But some supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us…

When I moved to New York to become a world famous journalist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent. I’m Makenna Fraser, a Seer for SPI. I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with. I track down creatures and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out.

Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city’s subway tunnels. And the murderer’s not human. The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel—yes, that Grendel—shares his ancestor’s hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards. And with New Year’s Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly. Because if we don’t find him—and the organization behind him—by midnight, our secret’s out and everyone’s time is up.

My Thoughts: This was an engaging and entertaining urban fantasy story. The narrator is a seer who has moved to New York City looking for a job as an investigative reporter. However, she is offered a job with SPI - Supernatural Protection & Investigations. Her job is to help keep humans safe from paranormals who might want to prey on them. Her talent is that she can see through any magical disguises that paranormals might wear.

In this case, an unknown enemy has imported grendels from Scandinavia to out all paranormals by creating a bloodbath in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Grendels are really tough. They seem impervious to most weapons that SPI has. Our narrator - Makenna Fraser - isn't trusted with a weapon yet. Her partner Ian is there to protect her and, eventually, train her to use weapons. At least, he'll train her if they ever have a time when they are not in crisis mode. However, Makenna is pretty dangerous with her paint guns.

The story is action-packed and filled with an interesting variety of paranormal creatures. I really like Makenna's attitude and the asides she throws into her narration of the events of the story. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

Favorite Quote:
"Being in a mausoleum's not bad enough," I said, "now we get to find out what's in a dark pit underneath one."

"A chamber under a mausoleum is called a crypt," Ian told me.

"Lovely."

"I'll go first."

"I'll let you."
I bought this one for my Kindle. You can get your copy here.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday Memes: The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

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.

This week I am spotlighting The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin. This is an urban fantasy book from my Kindle TBR mountain. Here is the description from Amazon:
We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. Things that go bump in the night, the monsters you thought didn’t exist? We battle them and keep you safe. But some supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us…

When I moved to New York to become a world famous journalist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent. I’m Makenna Fraser, a Seer for SPI. I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with. I track down creatures and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out.

Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city’s subway tunnels. And the murderer’s not human. The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel—yes, that Grendel—shares his ancestor’s hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards. And with New Year’s Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly. Because if we don’t find him—and the organization behind him—by midnight, our secret’s out and everyone’s time is up.
Beginning:
Most people grabbed a coffee on the way to work. I was clinking my way to the liquor store checkout with three bottles of Jack Daniel's.
Friday 56:
The camera automatically refocused. Filling the screen was an eye divided by a vertical slip pupil. The eye narrowed, and a blink of that monster eye later, the screen went blank.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

ARC Review: Vampires Never Cry Wolf by Sara Humphreys

Vampires Never Cry Wolf
Author: Sara Humphreys
Series: Dead in the City (Book 3)
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 3, 2015)

Description: Vampires are nothing but trouble...

As far as beautiful vampire Sadie Pemberton is concerned, werewolves shouldn't be sticking their noses into New York's supernatural politics. They don't know jack about running a city-not even that hot-as-sin new vampire-werewolf liaison who's just arrived in town.

Werewolves are too sexy for their own good...

The last thing Killian Bane wanted was to end up in New York City playing nice with vampires. Unfortunately, he's on a mission, and when he encounters the sexiest, most stubborn female vamp he's ever met, he's going to have to turn on a little of that wolfish charm...and Sadie's going to learn a thing or two about what it means to have a wild side...

My Thoughts: Vampires and werewolves don't like each other. Nonetheless, when the heir to the werewolf throne comes to New York to open a club, he spends a lot of time in the vampire-run club in town to get ideas. He also becomes fascinated with the manager who is a vampire named Sadie. Sadie was around when the treaty was signed making a very uneasy peace between the two supernaturals and knows she should stay away from Killian. However, Killian has something that attracts her despite knowing it isn't smart.

But many vampires aren't fond of the idea that werewolves are coming to town and are even less fond of the idea that there could be a relationship between a vampire and a werewolf. Many werewolves, including the young female werewolf who has planned to by Killian's mate and queen, aren't fond of the idea either.

Generally, I thought the book got off to a slow start. I kept waiting for something other than dithering or second thoughts to happen. It wasn't until the last third of the book when the story picked up the pace and then there was a frantic dash to the conclusion.

Fans of paranormal romance may want to give this one a try. The characters were engaging. This is the third book in the series. I could tell that I was missing some back-stories of some of the characters but the book does stand alone.

Favorite Quote:
He wanted to fix it. That's what men do. Wolf. Human. Whatever. They fix shit. But this wasn't something he could fix, and it was making him feel totally useless.
I got this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Vampires Never Cry Wolf by Sara Humphreys

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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:
"I am Olivia's friend, which is exactly why I will not go speak to her about this. Aside from the fact that it would be an abuse of our relationship, I'm not going to be a mouthpiece for the restless Vampires of Manhattan."
This week my teaser comes from Vampires Never Cry Wolf by Sara Humphreys. I got this eARC from NetGalley. Here is the description of this March 3 release:
Vampires are nothing but trouble...

As far as beautiful vampire Sadie Pemberton is concerned, werewolves shouldn't be sticking their noses into New York's supernatural politics. They don't know jack about running a city-not even that hot-as-sin new vampire-werewolf liaison who's just arrived in town.

Werewolves are too sexy for their own good...

The last thing Killian Bane wanted was to end up in New York City playing nice with vampires. Unfortunately, he's on a mission, and when he encounters the sexiest, most stubborn female vamp he's ever met, he's going to have to turn on a little of that wolfish charm...and Sadie's going to learn a thing or two about what it means to have a wild side...

Monday, February 23, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Feb. 23, 2015)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

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 had a pretty quiet week this past week. I did have an eye doctor's appointment on Tuesday which meant no reading time Tuesday evening. I don't know what kind of drops they used but I couldn't see print all evening.

Part of Saturday was spent picking out new frames for glasses. I also got a chance to get in some walking as I circled the Mall a few times before and after visiting the store to choose my new glasses. I managed to amass over 8000 steps which was about 4 times my usual Saturday step total. (Reading and playing on the computer don't build very many steps!)

Saturday's weather was the best of the week as my part of Minnesota is deep in a cold snap. Sunday's temperature is supposed to top out at zero Fahrenheit. It looks to be a great day to curl up on the ouch and read.

This coming week marks the return of The Voice which will keep me glued to my television set. That is easily my favorite television show and about the only one I plan my schedule around.

Read Last Week
Demon Hunting in the Deep South by Lexi George was a fun paranormal with a decided "Southern" voice. I really liked it and look forward to reading the rest of this series. My review will be posted on March 21.

Liars, Inc. was an entertaining young adult contemporary story with an engaging main character. It was a mystery/psychological thriller. My review will be posted on March 21.
Holding Strong by Lori Foster was a review book. It is the second in her Ultimate series of romantic suspense novels. This one focused on the romance aspects of the the genre. My review will be posted on March 26.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman was also a YA contemporary review book. I found it hard to read because I really didn't like the main character even though she was very well-written. The story was well written and ultimately satisfying. My review will be posted on March 26.

Currently
I am reading The Cemetery Boys by Heather Brewer. It is the last book on my March review stack. I like the main character but haven't really read enough to form an opinion of the story.

Next Week
The next three adult books on my stack are all books I bought in January. I am really trying to keep up with reading as I buy so that I end the year with fewer books on TBR mountain. I am trying to be more selective about what I buy despite all those great Kindle Daily Deals.

Teacher Beware by Charlotte Raine is a romantic suspense title. The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin is urban fantasy. Thrown by Colette Auclair is a romance.
I was hoping to fit in a couple of YA books from my stack until I looked at my stack of review books and realized that I had 13 April releases there. I plan to read the first two on that stack this week.

Lies I Told by Michelle Zink  is an eARC from Edelweiss. and The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things is a print ARC from Macmillan. Both will be released on April 7.

Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
What was your week like. Leave me a link and I'll be sure to visit.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Stacking the Shelves (Feb. 22, 2015)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow. 

I only added one book to my stack this week.
Lucky Break by Chloe Neill was added to my Kindle this week. I am hoping to read it before Dark Debt arrives on March 3 but I have quite a stack of things ahead of it. 

What did you add to your stack this week?

Saturday, February 21, 2015

ARC Review: Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

Shadow Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Soulfinders (Book 4)
Publication: Mira (February 24, 2015)

Description: New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…

My Thoughts: It has been a while since we have had a book focused on Yelena and Valek from Snyder. It is nice to see them again.

Yelena is attacked on her way to a rendezvous with Valek. She is shot with a poison-laced arrow. She thinks that she has gotten all the poison out. Valek goes out to try to track down the assassin but has not success. Also, Valek has been called back home to Ixia and leaves before the next effects kick in. As a result, Yelena loses her magic. She heads back to Sitia to try to find out if there is a cure.

Meanwhile, Valek is dealing with a new assassin. A young woman named Onora has broken into the Commander's palace. She wants Valek's job. Valek is ready to give it to her - if she can pass his tests. The Commander has set Valek the task of stopping a smuggling ring operating between Ixia and Sitia. He brings in Janco and Ari and assigns them to the task while he tightens security around the Commander and worries about Yelena.

Yelena learns that one of her old enemies has escaped from his prison and has targeted her. Without her magic, she is vulnerable. She visits her old colleagues who have no solutions for her. She decides to go off to her friend Opal to see if she knows anything. Her brother Leif goes along to protect her.

This was a great story with immediate problems - Yelena's loss of magic and Valek's issues with Onora - and larger political problems - the Council keeping secrets in Sitia and the Commander plotting in Ixia. All of these threads are nicely woven together. We also get some flashbacks about Valek's early life - how he became an assassin and how he came to be the Commander's head of security.

I really hope that there will be more stories starring Yelena and Valek. They weren't left in a nice, safe place at the end of this one.

Favorite Quote:
A coldness settled over me. "How long have they known?"

"A few days after he escaped."

Ice crackled through my heart. The Council knew before I left to meet Valek and they didn't bother to warn me.
I got this eARC at NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Friday Memes: Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

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.

This week I am spotlighting Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder. I got this eARC from NetGalley. Here is the description of this February 24 release:
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…
Beginning:
Ugh, mud. Kiki said as she splashed through another puddle. The wet muck clung to her copper coat and dripped from her long tail. It packed her hooves and coated the hair of her fetlocks with each step.
Friday 56:
Worry had trumped desire. She might have regretted it when she sobered, and he'd wanted more from her than a drunken one-night stand.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

ARC Review: Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King

Dreaming Spies
Author: Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (Book 13)
Publication: Bantam (February 17, 2015)

Description: Laurie R. King’s New York Times bestselling novels of suspense featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, are critically acclaimed and beloved by readers for the author’s adept interplay of history and adventure. Now the intrepid duo is finally trying to take a little time for themselves—only to be swept up in a baffling case that will lead them from the idyllic panoramas of Japan to the depths of Oxford’s most revered institution.

After a lengthy case that had the couple traipsing all over India, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are on their way to California to deal with some family business that Russell has been neglecting for far too long. Along the way, they plan to break up the long voyage with a sojourn in southern Japan. The cruising steamer Thomas Carlyle is leaving Bombay, bound for Kobe. Though they’re not the vacationing types, Russell is looking forward to a change of focus—not to mention a chance to travel to a location Holmes has not visited before. The idea of the pair being on equal footing is enticing to a woman who often must race to catch up with her older, highly skilled husband.

Aboard the ship, intrigue stirs almost immediately. Holmes recognizes the famous clubman the Earl of Darley, whom he suspects of being an occasional blackmailer: not an unlikely career choice for a man richer in social connections than in pounds sterling. And then there’s the lithe, surprisingly fluent young Japanese woman who befriends Russell and quotes haiku. She agrees to tutor the couple in Japanese language and customs, but Russell can’t shake the feeling that Haruki Sato is not who she claims to be.

Once in Japan, Russell’s suspicions are confirmed in a most surprising way. From the glorious city of Tokyo to the cavernous library at Oxford, Russell and Holmes race to solve a mystery involving international extortion, espionage, and the shocking secrets that, if revealed, could spark revolution—and topple an empire.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this episode in the adventures of Mary Russell and her husband Sherlock Holmes. The Preamble has them back home and contemplating a very Japanese rock that has been placed in their garden. It is 1925.

Then we go back to 1924 and discover how the rock ends up in their garden. The story begins with Russell and Holmes boarding a ship in Bombay that will take them to Japan. Also boarding are a man Holmes recognizes as a blackmailer and a mysterious young Japanese woman. While Mary is looking forward to some quiet time to read and relax, Holmes determines to find out what Lord Darley, the blackmailer, is up to.

The young Japanese woman is Haruki Sato who has spent a year in the United States at college and is returning home. At Mary's urging, she agrees to teach both Mary and Holmes some Japanese and also agrees to give some lectures about Japanese culture on the ship. Miss Sato looks young, innocent and naive but has hidden depths.

Holmes and Russell manage to while away the sea voyage investigating Lord Darley, his new wife, and his son and learning about Japanese culture. When they disembark in Kobe, Miss Sato is there to act as tour guide and instructor. She disappears but sets them a puzzle to solve.

This leads to them assuming the roles of Buddhist pilgrims and traveling through Japan to rendezvous with her at a specific time and place. I liked seeing Japan through their eyes as they traveled. At the rendezvous, Sherlock and Mary learn what it is that Miss Sato has been preparing them for. She is a ninja in service to the Emperor, as her family has been for a couple hundred years, and Crown Prince Hirohito has a problem that needs to be solved.

Hirohito has mistakenly given away a book to the King of England that contains some information of vital importance to Japan. Darley is blackmailing him to get it back. Holmes, Russell, and Miss Sato and her family need to find a way to retrieve the book to save Hirohito and Japan from major loss of face.

After a seemingly successful conclusion, Holmes and Russell return home. But, some months later, Miss Sato appears in England because the wrong book was recovered. And the adventures resume...

I love Mary's voice as she tells the story. She is such a strong and engaging character. I enjoyed the information about the Japanese book and the wandering poet. I liked that each chapter began with a haiku. All in all, this was a very enjoyable story. I can't wait for more adventures.

Favorite Quote:
I rested my head back against the deck-chair and closed my eyes. I was well accustomed to my husband's need to manufacture work for himself, but doing so two days into what might be considered a holiday did not bode well for the coming weeks.
I got this eARC at NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Book Review: Obssession in Death by J. D. Robb

Obsession in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death (Book 40)
Publication: G.P. Putnam's Sons (February 10, 2015)

Description: Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She—and her billionaire husband—are getting accustomed to being objects of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person’s obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her—again and again…

With a murderer reading meanings into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate—and dangerous—psychological dance. And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her “true and loyal friend.” And in time, idols always fall…

My Thoughts: Murder is always personal for Lieutenant Eve Dallas but this time it is more personal than usual. Some unknown admirer is killing people who they believe have disrespected Eve. The unknown admirer is leaving notes written in marker on the walls expressing her desire to be Eve's new best friend. Eve and her partner Peabody are determined to bring this murderer to justice.

Eve feels some guilt because the murderer is claiming to be killing for her. Eve is also quite sure that, when she disappoints the murderer by not acknowledging their acts, the murderer will turn on her. But before that happens, Eve needs to protect her friends. When she thinks about how many people she is close to, Eve begins to realize that she has built quite a family for herself.

I loved seeing Eve's scene with Mavis's little girl Bella. That scene, where Bella wants the diamond Roarke gave Eve, brings a touch of humor to an otherwise pretty dark story. Baffling as Eve finds the child, the love she has for her and for Mavis and Leonardo is really clear. Eve has formed so many connections in the course of these books but Mavis was her first friend.

I like that Eve and Roarke's relationship is growing stronger and stronger. Eve seems more easy with the idea that she loves him and more able to talk about her love for him. I love the way Roarke cares for and supports Eve.

This was an excellent story. I enjoyed reading about the police work done to try to narrow down the suspects to find the crazy person who was committing these crimes.

Favorite Quote:
"Who'd kill for you?" Peabody waited until Eve lowered her hands. "I mean who'd kill because somebody was rude to you, or, well, snotty."

"Nobody leaps to mind. I tend to avoid relationships with the homicidal."
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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:
"If you're interested in language tutorials that don't involve smothering heat and asphyxiating smoke, Miss Sato might be worth asking."

Thus, from being a suspicious character, Miss Sato became a resource.
This week my teaser comes from Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King. This is the 13th book in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. Here is the description of this February 17 release:
Laurie R. King’s New York Times bestselling novels of suspense featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, are critically acclaimed and beloved by readers for the author’s adept interplay of history and adventure. Now the intrepid duo is finally trying to take a little time for themselves—only to be swept up in a baffling case that will lead them from the idyllic panoramas of Japan to the depths of Oxford’s most revered institution.

After a lengthy case that had the couple traipsing all over India, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are on their way to California to deal with some family business that Russell has been neglecting for far too long. Along the way, they plan to break up the long voyage with a sojourn in southern Japan. The cruising steamer Thomas Carlyle is leaving Bombay, bound for Kobe. Though they’re not the vacationing types, Russell is looking forward to a change of focus—not to mention a chance to travel to a location Holmes has not visited before. The idea of the pair being on equal footing is enticing to a woman who often must race to catch up with her older, highly skilled husband.

Aboard the ship, intrigue stirs almost immediately. Holmes recognizes the famous clubman the Earl of Darley, whom he suspects of being an occasional blackmailer: not an unlikely career choice for a man richer in social connections than in pounds sterling. And then there’s the lithe, surprisingly fluent young Japanese woman who befriends Russell and quotes haiku. She agrees to tutor the couple in Japanese language and customs, but Russell can’t shake the feeling that Haruki Sato is not who she claims to be.

Once in Japan, Russell’s suspicions are confirmed in a most surprising way. From the glorious city of Tokyo to the cavernous library at Oxford, Russell and Holmes race to solve a mystery involving international extortion, espionage, and the shocking secrets that, if revealed, could spark revolution—and topple an empire. 

Monday, February 16, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Feb. 16, 2015)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

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.

It was a nice week. We had Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday night and consequently had Friday off this week. I used my extra day to get lots of reading done.

I also decided to bake some bread which I haven't done for years. My assistant and I are weeding my high school library collection and a bread cookbook came up for consideration. I saw that there was a recipe for brioche that didn't look too hard. I decided to take the book home and give it a try. Other than the fact that it took hours (mostly rising and refrigerating time), it was pretty easy to do with my Cuisinart and bread hook attachment. I still need to shape the dough and bake it but I'll get to it later today. I'm thinking of making half into hamburger buns since so many shows I've seen on the Food Network have burgers on brioche buns.

We have an ordinary five day week next week. We don't have President's Day off in my school district. It is also supposed to me quite cold all week with temperatures hovering around zero and wind chills considerably below zero. Good thing I don't have much on my calendar. It sounds like good bundling weather.

Read Last Week
Boys Don't Knit by T. S. Easton was a fun YA contemporary with an engaging main character with a wonderfully quirky personality. My review will be posted on March 12.

The Dragon Conspiracy by Lisa Shearin was a fun urban fantasy novel with another really quirky character. My review will pe posted on March 14.
Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb is the latest (book 40) in her futuristic mystery series. I love the characters and am always excited for the next episode. This one was very entertaining. My review will be posted on February 18.

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows was an eARC that I received from Edelweiss. I really hope that it was just a teaser because it ended quite abruptly after Chapter 12. I have already ordered my copy of this March 10 release so that I can find out what happens next. My review of the book (so far) will be posted on March 14.
First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan was a nice romance novel. The characters were interesting people. I liked the setting of the story too. My review will be posted as part of the Blog Tour on March 19.

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly was an excellent middle grade novel about a girl who had big dreams and who was different than the norm. It was an excellent exploration of middle school. My review will be posted on March 19.

Currently
I am currently reading Demon Hunting in the Deep South by Lexi George It is from my TBR mountain and is helping me reach my goal of reading all my new January purchases. However, it is the second book in a series and I can tell. I feel like I am missing a lot.

Next Week
 There are mostly review books on my stack for next week.

The Cemetery Boys by Heather Brewer is a March 30 release.

Holding Strong by Lori Foster will be released on March 31.
Solitaire by Alice Oseman will be released on March 30.

Teacher Beware by Charlotte Raine was one of my January purchases and will lower my TBR mountain a tiny bit.

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes is a review book that will be released on March 24.

Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?
What do you have planned for the week ahead? Leave me a link and I'll stop by for a visit.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Stacking the Shelves (Feb. 15, 2015)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow. 

This was a great week for new books.
I bought an eARC from Baen for the next Liaden Universe book. Dragon in Exile by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller won't be released until June 2 but I couldn't wait. I read it the day I downloaded it to my Kindle and enjoyed every page. 

I also got the latest In Death novel - Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb. I didn't read it the day it showed up on my Kindle but I did start reading it the next day. This was another great episode in one of my favorite series.
I read the review copy of Bridged by Kendra Elliot a couple of weeks ago but wanted to have a finished copy on my Kindle. This is a wonderful series too.

I am reading the Prospero's War series by Jaye Wells and had to get the most recent release. Deadly Spells is is the third book. 

Finally, I bought a copy of Written in Red by Anne Bishop when it was a Kindle Daily Deal this week. I have been meaning to read it for a while and hope to be able to fit it into my reading calendar soon.

I had a "fill my Kindle" week. What did you add to your stack?

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Book Review: Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Closer to Home
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Herald Spy (Book 1)
Publication: DAW Hardcover (October 7, 2014)

Description: Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.

Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. His daughter Amily is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?

My Thoughts: Mags and Amily are back in Haven after there year on circuit. Both are ready to settle in with their new adult responsibilities. Mags will continue to apprentice as Royal spy under the tutelage of Nikolas, Amily's father and King's Own herald. Amily will be working as a chronicler in the Royal Archives. They are looking forward to a quiet period in their lives. However, that isn't what happens.

Nikolas is in an accident during which he almost drowns. He dies but is revived by Mags who saw the accident. When he died, his bond with his Companion Rolan was severed and Rolan chooses Amily to be his new Chosen. That makes her the new King's Own which causes all sorts of chaos until Mags straightens out the thinking of the King and the Court. One of the first things the new King's Own has to deal with is a family feud that could cause all sorts of problems in Haven.

The story has a Romeo and Juliet vibe as the youngest daughter of one of the feuding families falls for the son of the other. This leads to a lot of discussion of the marriage customs of the high born in Valdemar which follow a medieval pattern. Young women are given in marriage by their fathers for reasons that have nothing to do with love. There is a lot of conversation about the role of women in this society.We see Mags building his spy network in Haven and get a look at what life is like for the poor too.

Both Amily and Mags are very busy keeping this feud from exploding but are still blind-sided when things they hadn't anticipated happen.

This was a book that was more about social issues and about Mags and Amily learning their new jobs. There wasn't a big political plot in this one. Fans of the Valdemar books will enjoy this one because it explores topics not seen before.

Favorite Quote:
Things were, or were not. When the Monarch's Own died, he had the good sense to stay dead and not get resurrected to be Chosen again by a different Companion. Of course, no one was crass enough to put it that way, but it was clear enough that was, more or less, the way their troubled and muddled thinking was going. Everyone was concentrating on what had "gone wrong" and not on the bloody miracle they'd all been given.
This one comes from my TBR mountain. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Friday Memes: Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

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.

This week I pulled Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey off TBR mountain. I enjoy Lackey's Valdemar books and recently finished the first five books about Mags. I want to know what happens next for him. Here is the description from Amazon:
Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.

Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. His daughter Amily is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?
Beginning:
The crow skimming the treetops with its mate cast an avid eye down to the ground below, looking for one last opportunity for a meal before taking to the branches for the night.
Friday 56:
Mags tilted Nikolas to one side, with his head on the downward side of the slope of the bank, so that all the water ran out of his lungs.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Book Review: Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston

Bite Me
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride (Book 9)
Publication: BRAVA (March 25, 2014)

Description: Livy Kowalski has no time for idiots. When you shapeshift into a honey badger, getting through life's irritants is a finely honed skill. Until she gets stuck housing her nutso cousin and dealing with her dad's untimely and unexplained demise.

That's where Vic Barinov comes in - or his house does. Vic can't step outside without coming back to find Livy devouring his honey stash and getting the TV remote sticky. It gets his animal instincts all riled up. But he'll have to woo her at high speed: all hell is breaking loose, and Livy is leading the charge...

My Thoughts: Livy Kowalski is something of a misfit in her family of honey badger thieves and criminals. She is a professional photographer who has temporarily lost her creativity. When she comes back home from her father's funeral, she finds that her mother has invited a cousin Livy really hates to move in to her apartment.

Livy flees to Vic Barinov's house because she really likes his honey supply. Vic is a hybrid combination of bear and Siberian tiger. While he doesn't like many people, he does like Livy. When Livy learns that her father actually was hunted by unscrupulous hunters who delight in hunting shifters, she is determined to find the people responsible and have her revenge. Vic is also looking for the people responsible for hunting shifters. They team up to find those responsible.

What I like most about this series is the wide variety of shifters and hybrids. I love that they really have the attributes of their animal selves. I also like meeting characters from earlier books in this series again in each new volume. Besides the plot about bringing the hunters to justice, Livy has been hired - for an outrageous sum - to be the photographer at Blayne and Bo Navikov's wedding. We also get to see a variety of other favorite characters including Dee-Ann Smith and, briefly, Eggie Smith.

This is a fun paranormal series.

Favorite Quote:
Livy took a breath. "It's probably a good idea. That way I can more carefully arrange the murders."

Vic nodded at her statement. "See? That sounds like a good plan."

But Ira gawked at her brother. "That really sounds like a good plan to you?"

"Better than the first one," he shot back.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.