Winter Wayne Series, Book 3: Bone Magic / D.N. Hoxa / 303 pages

Third in the Winter Wayne installment.  Winter thought she would never see Julian Walker again after she helped him open a portal to get back home to the fairy world and she thought that people were finally able to look past her fairy features and begin to trust her after killing the Hedge witches that were wreaking havoc for decades among the covens, but she was wrong and she finds Julian half dead on her doorstep.  Julian needs Winters help, there’s a fairy who has destroyed the fairy realm and the fairy courts and his next target is Earth. Julian and Winter must now open a portal back to the fairy world and kill the fairy there before he comes to Earth and destroys it too. Narrated by Elise Arsenault, 9h 43m.

Winter Wayne Series, Book 2: Bone Coven / D.N. Hoxa / 276 pages

Second book in the Winter Wayne series.  Winter opens her own detective agency and has a difficult time coming to terms with being half witch and half fairy when no one in the supernatural community wants to do business with a fairy. But the Green coven is being attacked, children from its’ members are going missing, and the coven is on the brink of collapse. One of the leaders hires Winter to find the missing children and prevent his own daughter from becoming the next victim.  But Winter can’t help but think it's strange that the same thing happened to the bone coven a decade ago, which caused it's collapse, this couldn't be a coincidence. Narrated by Elise Arsenault 8h 55m.

Shadows of the Immortals Series, Book 3 Rivers of Hell / Marina Finlayson / 306 pages

This is the third book in the Shadows of the Immortals series narrated by Hollie Jackson, and it’s another action-packed and dramatic installment. After saving the god Apollo from the Shadow shifters, Lexi and her friends are safely hidden away in the underworld by Hades, trying to remove the magical collars that restrict the powers of the god Apollo and Lexi’s cat-shifter friend, Syl.  Since they lost the magic key, that would open the collars during the struggle to escape, they need to make one. One problem, the only person who can help them, Hephaestus the god of metal shaping, is dead. The good news is they’re already in the underworld. The bad news is that the underworld isn’t exactly safe and if Lexi travels deeper into the underworld than where Hades says is safe, while he is gone, she could end up becoming a permanent resident.  As always, there are lots of twists and turns along the way, and Lexi and hot fireshaper Jake inch a little closer towards the inevitable romance. 6h 38m

Shadows of the Immortals Series, Book 2 Murdered Gods / Marina Finlayson / 260 pages

Murdered Gods is book two in the Shadows of the Immortals series and narrated by Hollie Jackson. Lexi now goes looking for the mother who kicked her out, to ask her the questions she always refused to discuss: the source of Lexi’s strange ability.  But In the human only city where she grew up, she finds her childhood home has a different owner, an older lady who has lived there for more than 20 years. While looking around town for answers she finds that all the places are the same but all of the people she knew growing up are gone and might have never existed!? Thinking she’s losing her mind and finding herself in the middle of trouble. A shadow order is capturing gods for their power but they need the ring Lexi might have forgotten to give back to her hot fire shaper, Jake! Narration was phenomenal! 5h 20m

Shadows of the Immortals Series, Book 1 Stolen Magic / Marina Finlayson / 262 pages

Lexi Jardine has the ability to control animals and is a thief but she’s not stupid, so when a shady fire shaper want her to steal an important ring from the boss of the Fire Shaper Order she knows that whether she does it or not she’s a dead woman walking, so she decides to get the hell out of dodge.  Hiding in a quiet little seaside town running a bookshop she keeps her head down and pretends to be human. Then a hot new fire shaper rolls into town and things start to fall apart. Lots of suspense, action, romance, and great fantasy with shape shifters, magic, and a little mythology. Amazing narrator, Hollie Jackson! 5h 23m

The Promise/Robyn Carr/ 363pgs

 The Fifth book in the Robyn Carr Thunder Point Series.

A story of a small town doctor taking a second chance on 

love after losing the love of his life and Mother of his two small

children. Peyton is a beautiful and highly talented  physician's assistant who answered an advertisement for help wanted in Scott Grant's growing family practice in Thunder Point. She is fleeing a gone wrong romance and trying to start again but not looking for any entanglements or relationships.  She takes the temporary job offer in small Oregon clinic to thinking it would be a great way to relax and get away from her problems for awhile. 

However things of course get more involved than either of them had ever planned. This is a great addition to the Thunder Point Series and I would recommend it to those who love romance by authors similar to Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery or Susan Wiggs.

Hush Hush / Laura Lippman / 303 pgs.

Private Detectives, Tess Monagham and Sandy Sanchez, have been hired to set up security detail for a new glamorous and wealthy client, who has a dark past.  The client, Melisandre Harris Dawes left Baltimore a decade ago after killing her two-month-old daughter and being acquitted by reason of criminal insanity.  Now she is back in town creating a documentary about the tragic event with the goal of clearing her name and reuniting with her two surviving teenage daughters.  However the plans for the Documentary and the return to Baltimore is jeopardized when a stalker starts leaving cryptic notes.

This mystery/suspense is not really a "did she do it" story, more like "why did she do it".  Using transcripts of the interviews that were filmed for the documentary makes a fun way for the reader to get pieces of the story one at a time.  The book is intriguing, fast-paced, and keeps you guessing.  It also explores the topics of infanticide and the use of criminal insanity pleas in high profile court cases.

BLOOD RITES: A NOVEL OF THE DRESDEN FILES / Jim Butcher / Read by James Marsters / 372 Pages

BLOOD RITES: A NOVEL OF THE DRESDEN FILES / Jim Butcher / Read by James Marsters / 372 Pages

I continue my quest to get caught up on all the Dresden File novels by listening to the audiobook editions. Blood Rites is Book 6 in the series.

Harry Dresden, Chicago's own self-advertised wizard, faces off against Black and White Court vampires, learns things about family and friends which change his life, and gets a puppy!

Fast-paced Urban fantasy with plenty of magic, sly wit and surprises about Harry's past. James Marsters gives a more nuanced performance this time and continues to be a great narrator for the series.

WAISTCOATS & WEAPONRY / Gail Carriger / 298 Pages

Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School - Book the Third) / Gail Carriger / 298 Pages

"It's one thing to waltz properly. 

It's quite another to waltz properly with a bladed fan stitched into one's corset."

Sophronia is progressing exceedingly well through Mademoiselle Geraldine's "school for proper young killing machines." She will be a top intelligencer asset IF she can survive running away to Scotland, hijacking a train, and foiling a fiendish vampire plot, not to mention escaping a dirigible full of armed Picklemen and flywaymen. All in a days adventure for Sophronia - this time though she's going to have to make a choice which will change her life forever.

Get ready for another rollicking good adventure with Sophronia, Soap, Dimity, and other assorted friends in this witty, laugh-out-loud, action-packed novel. Fans will be eager for the next book in Gail Carriger's 'Finishing  School' series.

Read-alike suggestions: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (the 'Gallager Girls' series) or Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel (the 'Palace of Spies' series).

Wolves of the Calla / Stephen King / 714 pages

This is the 5th book of King's The Dark Tower series.  We continue to see characters from King's other books leaking into this story, most notable is Father Callahan from Salem's Lot.  Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy the billy-bumbler come in a small town (which King now calls a Calla) named Calla Bryn Sturgis.  The town is upset because they have just learned the wolves will be back within a month and the wolves always take one of every set of twins.  Considering the women in this town almost always have twins, this results in about half the town's children being taken.  About a month later the children return, but are roont.  Roland and crew decide whether to help and then bear the consequences.

ONE KICK / Chelsea Cain / 306 Pages / December challenge (2 Turtle Doves: includes scenes involving flying)

Chelsea Cain introduces a fascinating pair of characters in One Kick, the first title in a new suspense series. I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the author's newest book and was eager to see how is compared to her 'Archie Sheridan / Gretchen Lowell' series.

Kick Lannigan was kidnapped at age six and rescued five years later; she is a survivor. She has learned to defend her self and at age 21 devotes all her time, energy and talent to finding missing children. Just as she's starting to investigate a new kidnapping case, a mysterious man named John Bishop shows up and asks for her help to find two missing kids.

The dynamic between Kick and Bishop is intense, two such determined but flawed individuals working towards a common goal. But are they really working together or does Bishop have another purpose in pulling Kick into the case?

While the tone can be disturbing, the violence takes place off-stage in this fast-paced thrilling novel. Fans of psychological suspense without all the gory details might want to give this one a try.

Until We Touch / Susan Mallery / pp 376

This is the latest book in Fool’s Gold series. Larissa Owens works for  Jack McGarry -- former Pro NFL player -- as his assistant.  She has a big heart and she helps him keep his life in order and finds worthwhile causes to spend his money.  They are friends and no more.  When Larissa’s mom accuses Jack of keeping Larissa from finding true love because she is secretly in love with him, it sets in motion a series of events that causes them to re-evaluate their relationship.  Jack doesn’t want to get involved -- Larissa does that for him and allows him to do good without emotional risks.  Larissa uses all her good causes as a shield that keeps her from acknowledging her true feelings for Jack.  Will they get beyond their hang-ups to give love a chance? Of course, they will!

A light-hearted romance with likable characters and no surprises.

THE BOOK OF LIFE / Deborah Harkness / 559 Pages / 6 Geese-a-Laying (December Challenge)

Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E conclusion to 'All Souls' trilogy and appreciated the opportunity to read an advance copy (ARC).

THE BOOK OF LIFE by Deborah Harkness - Great conclusion to a fascinatingly detailed series! The search for Ashmole 782 continues with life and family becoming even more complicated for Diana and Matthew. Enjoyed seeing return of characters from previous volumes as well as learning how past events can effect the future - in unexpected ways. Shivered as read of cruelty displayed by main villain(s) and the reason behind it. Sorry - no spoilers from me, read it for yourself... :-)

Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING / Erika Johansen / 434 Pages / 10 Lords-a-Leaping (December Challenge)

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING is an epic fantasy with magic, mystery, adventure and the debut novel of Erika Johansen. I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher.

Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn is a unique fantasy heroine - not beautiful OR trained from birth to be a warrior but none-the-less a queen! One who must learn how to lead despite tremendous odds against her! Kelsea's journey is compelling and will draw the reader into the story, the first in a new series.

Comparable titles might be The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory or A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

Last to die / Grippando / 369 p.

The third in a lawyer-as-detective series featuring Jack Swyteck, this title falls squarely in the middle of the action-detective genre. Readers who enjoy their mysteries with a little more grit, masculinity, and violence (but not too much gore) will enjoy this book.

Synopsis
Lawyer Jack Swyteck is asked to defend an accused murderer by the murderer's brother, whom Swyteck saved from death row. The wealthy victim of the murder in question leaves a will with six beneficiaries, all of them former enemies. The one to inherit the money will be the last one alive. Thus ensues a murderous game to eliminate the other inheritors. Jack's client has a nasty past that makes him the chief suspect and so Jack must use his best lawyerly wiles to keep his client free while he searches for the real killer. There are a plethora of twists and turns in the fast-paced plot that will surprise the reader until the book ends in a satisfying conclusion.

Analysis
I have not read the first two books in this series, but this books stands very well on its own merits. Though some characters' backstories must have been covered in the previous two books, those backstories do not interfere with the plot in this volume. Instead, those backstories are intriguing enough to make the reader want to read those previous titles as well.

For a books that involves involves violence and some unsavory characters, I found this book to be quite charming. With none of the sense of foreboding that seems to accompany too many novels of this kind, Grippando constructs a storyline that reflects a hope for humanity along with the suspense that readers seek. That sense of hope allows the reader to enjoy the ride without feeling dirty afterward.

Swytek is flawed and is aware of his own failings, but is utterly likable. He is surrounded by characters who are also flawed. But not all of them are likable. The bad guys are clearly bad. Characters do not switch loyalties. All the switching happens in the plot. That plot is a bumpy, unpredictable ride all the way to its surprising end.

Set in Florida, this would be a great summer beach read. I highly recommend this book for readers of mystery and suspense. It will not leave you looking over your shoulder and is relatively light on the gore, despite it's violence, but it will still leave you wanting more.

SEASON FOR SCANDAL / Theresa Romain / 347 Pages

SEASON FOR SCANDAL is the third title in the author's Yuletide romance series, following SEASON FOR SURRENDER (2012) and SEASON FOR TEMPTATION (2011)

"When Edmund Ware, Baron Kirkpatrick, proposes a hasty marriage to save her reputation, Jane Tindall thinks it to be the perfect pairing, until secrets and scandals turn a proper marriage into a very improper affair." (NoveList)

Main characters from Season for Surrender play secondary roles while another secondary character introduces a romantic lead for the next title in the author's series, Season for Desire due out October 2014.

For readers of holiday season Regency era romances especially those who like series with connecting characters. Read-alike suggestions: THE PROMISE IN A KISS by Stephanie Laurens and LADY JENNY'S CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT by Grace Burrows

THE KING: A NOVEL OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD / J. R. Ward / 573 Pages

With THE KING, Ward has returned to Wrath and Beth, the characters who began her 'Black Dagger Brotherhood' series in DARK LOVER (2005). This is a fast-paced, paranormal romance centered around the struggle of Wrath, the last purebred vampire, coming to terms with the possibility of losing not only his throne but also his beloved Beth.

The 12th novel in the series, The King provides readers a view into Wrath's family history which hasn't been explored in detail before. Fans should enjoy this story which resolves issues built-up over the last few novels but may wish to be aware the author does leave a few plot lines open; probably for development in future installments. 

Readers who enjoy steamy romance series which follow the stories of an interconnected group of paranormal heroes might also enjoy Jacquelyn Frank's 'Nightwalkers' series, beginning with JACOB (2006)

HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL / Miranda Collins / 324 Pages

HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL is the third in Miranda Collins' 'Ugly Ducklings' series, following How to Dance With a Duke and How to Romance a Rake.

Christian Monteith, the new Earl of Gresham, is investigating an espionage plot which may involve the outspoken Lady Madeline Essex's brother and isn't too happy when she shows up at the same gaming house doing research for a novel. A dead body, a mysterious madman, and a scandalous kiss bring these two old family 'friends' closer than they ever thought possible, providing readers with a fast-paced and witty historical romance.

Fans of romance series which follow interconnected families should enjoy Collins' sexy, thrilling love story.

Death of a Policeman/M.C. Beaton/264 pages/2 December Challenges Met

Hamish Macbeth knows that his police station in his perfect little town of Lochdubh is in danger of being closed down. Detective Chief Inspector Blair would like nothing better than to get rid of Hamish who has a way of solving the murder cases that come his way and making Blair look foolish in the process. When the undercover policeman that Blair sends down to spy on Hamish gets murdered, Hamish first has to prove he didn't do it and then find who did. The trail leads back to a restaurant where both Blair and his boss, Superintendent Daviot dine regularly. Is there a connection? Meanwhile, Hamish's fellow police officer and housemate finds himself attracted to more than one lady but suffers nothing but heartbreak trying to catch one lady between engagements and another one before she leaves his life for good.

Another fine Beaton mystery.

Betrayal/Gregg Olsen/273 pages

When Olivia Grant, a foreign exchange student from the U.K., is stabbed to death in her new BFF's bedroom during a unsupervised Halloween party, the whole town of Port Gamble is shocked. Accusations start flying about both her BFF Brianna and her exchange sponsor, Beth. Twins Taylor and Hayley Ryan want to help their friend Beth and find out what really happened to Olivia. Taylor and Hayley's secret talent for seeing what others can't will help them find the truth. Their involuntary involvement from a long ago town tragedy will put them in danger.


The newest in the Empty Coffin series, this novel is based on the Amanda Knox case which is still making headlines. Even though this is a YA novel, I would recommend it for anyone. The characters of Taylor and Hayley are particularly interesting to me. The details of their lives and their parent's lives are coming out bit by bit in each novel, and that makes me just want more. I'm looking forward to his next novel.