Hi everyone, the month of January ended up being a much needed break from blogging and book reviewing. I didn't review a single book all month, but I did read a lot! I'll post my ratings and a few comments on each book I read below. There were two books I had planned to read in January that I still haven't gotten to. Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier is still on the back burner and Exiles by Jane Harper has been pushed to February.
Read for the Mystery Book Club
Nightfall (Jack Nightingale #1) by Stephen Leather
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Fantasy
Content: Strong language
The Best Intentions (The Huntresses #1) by Sarah M. Eden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Romance, Clean Romance, Historical Romance
Content: CleanIn the eyes of London Society, Gillian Phelps is
suitable enough. Though the ton whispers about her change of residence,
any speculation remains just that: ballroom gossip. No one—not even the
other Huntresses, the group of ladies she calls her dearest
friends—knows that she is harboring a devastating family secret. Gillian
has become adept at hiding the reality of her circumstances, but the
close quarters of a house party will test her ability to conceal the
crushing truth. And with so many people to deceive, the late arrival of
another guest is a most unwelcome surprise.
Despite his standing as a gentleman of the ton, in truth, Scott Sarvol possesses little more than two debt-riddled estates. When an opportunity arises to survey one of his properties, he travels north, only to find himself an unwitting guest at Artemis Jonquil’s house party. He is warmly welcomed by all—except the aloof Miss Gillian Phelps. But when Scott proves himself unexpectedly helpful in a crisis, his acquaintance with Gillian shifts from wariness to something warmer.
As both her charade and her feelings for Scott deepen, Gillian realizes that the truth could spell not only a devastating fall from Society but also a shattered heart.
Despite his standing as a gentleman of the ton, in truth, Scott Sarvol possesses little more than two debt-riddled estates. When an opportunity arises to survey one of his properties, he travels north, only to find himself an unwitting guest at Artemis Jonquil’s house party. He is warmly welcomed by all—except the aloof Miss Gillian Phelps. But when Scott proves himself unexpectedly helpful in a crisis, his acquaintance with Gillian shifts from wariness to something warmer.
As both her charade and her feelings for Scott deepen, Gillian realizes that the truth could spell not only a devastating fall from Society but also a shattered heart.
This is the first in a new series that has ties to The Jonquil Brothers, and The Lancaster Family series. Though a bit longer than I think it needed to be, I especially enjoyed that, in addition to meeting some lovely new characters, there were characters from the previous two series present. Charlie and Artemis were the most prominent ones, with appearances by the Jonquil matriarch and a few others. I liked the way Artemis looks out for her friends and the way they all came to be friends in the first place, because they were all misfits. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Murder in Mesopotamia (Hercule Poirot #13) by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery
Content: Strong language
An archaeologist’s wife is murdered on the shores of the River Tigris in Iraq.
It was clear to nurse Amy Leatheran that something sinister was going on at the Hassanieh dig, something associated with the presence of ‘Lovely Louise’, the wife of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Leidner. But she couldn't pinpoint it.
In a few days’ time Hercule Poirot was due to drop in at the excavation site. With Louise suffering terrifying hallucinations, and tension within the group becoming almost unbearable, Poirot might just be too late…
It was clear to nurse Amy Leatheran that something sinister was going on at the Hassanieh dig, something associated with the presence of ‘Lovely Louise’, the wife of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Leidner. But she couldn't pinpoint it.
In a few days’ time Hercule Poirot was due to drop in at the excavation site. With Louise suffering terrifying hallucinations, and tension within the group becoming almost unbearable, Poirot might just be too late…
Review to come later.
Buddy read at Fantasy Buddy Reads
Rosemary and Rue (October Daye #1) by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Content: Strong language, fade to black sexOctober "Toby" Daye, a changeling who is half
human and half fae, has been an outsider from birth. After getting
burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the Faerie world,
retreating to a "normal" life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world
has other ideas...
The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening-s dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening's killer.
The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening-s dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening's killer.
This was enjoyable, but it wasn't as compelling as I was hoping it would be. Toby had a couple of annoying personality traits. One of them being that she didn't really think before acting most of the time. Then there was a character who groomed and took advantage of kids. Toby was one of his victims as a child and I felt she must have still had some Stockholm syndrome going on. Her relationship with him made me cringe. Thankfully that gets resolved.
I've heard this series gets better after three or four books, so I'm going to try and stick it out until then.
Reading with the husband
Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega #1) by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Content: Strong language, mild sex that's mostly off pageAnna never knew werewolves existed, until the
night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After
three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head
down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the
enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came
into her life.
Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.
Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.
I started a re read of the Mercy-verse books with my husband. We started with Moon Called and decided to go in chronological order instead of reading one series and then the other. Some of the short stories will be included in this, but probably not all of them, even though right now, I have them all listed with the books on my list below. I enjoyed this just as much as I did the first time I read it.
Alpha and Omega
Cry Wolf
Hunting Ground
Star of David
Blood Bound
Iron Kissed
Bone Crossed
Roses in Winter
Silver Borne
Silver Borne Deleted Scene
In Red with Pearls
River Marked
Fair Game
Frost Burned
Redemption
Dead Heat
Night Broken
Night Broken Deleted Scene
Hollow
Fire Touched
Silence Fallen
Burn Bright
Storm Cursed
Smoke Bitten
Wild Sign
Soul Taken
Read with the Mystery Book Club
Gossip and Gorgons (Manners and Monster #3) by Tilly Wallace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Mystery, Mystery
Content: Strong languageOne look could turn you to stone...
The newly married Lord and Lady Wycliff are cordially invited to a house party--to be mocked and ridiculed as entertainment. Wycliff insists on attending to discuss business with the host, while Hannah longs to hide in the library with its rare volumes on the Fae.
Bound to Wycliff even beyond death, Hannah wonders how she will survive the week--when a guest unexpectedly expires. A notorious cad is discovered turned into a statue in the garden. The dead lord had many enemies, including Lord Wycliff.
Hannah's accord with her husband is tested when a trail of footprints leads to their window. What secret is Wycliff hiding and does he know more about the magical death than he admits? Someone among the house guests has murder on their mind and the newlyweds need to determine who, before anyone else is immortalised as stone...
The newly married Lord and Lady Wycliff are cordially invited to a house party--to be mocked and ridiculed as entertainment. Wycliff insists on attending to discuss business with the host, while Hannah longs to hide in the library with its rare volumes on the Fae.
Bound to Wycliff even beyond death, Hannah wonders how she will survive the week--when a guest unexpectedly expires. A notorious cad is discovered turned into a statue in the garden. The dead lord had many enemies, including Lord Wycliff.
Hannah's accord with her husband is tested when a trail of footprints leads to their window. What secret is Wycliff hiding and does he know more about the magical death than he admits? Someone among the house guests has murder on their mind and the newlyweds need to determine who, before anyone else is immortalised as stone...
I had put this series on hold and wasn't sure if I would continue it until a friend on Goodreads wanted to buddy read it in the Mystery Book Club. So I decided to give it another chance, and I'm glad I did! This turned out to be the best book in the series so far. There are a lot of things about this series that remind me of the Lady Darby series, only with paranormal elements.
Read with the Mystery Book Club
This side of Murder (Verity Kent #1) by Anna Lee Huber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery
Content: Strong languageThe Great War is over, but in this
captivating new mystery from award-winning author Anna Lee Huber, one
young widow discovers the real intrigue has only just begun . . .
England, 1919. Verity Kent’s grief over the loss of her husband pierces anew when she receives a cryptic letter, suggesting her beloved Sidney may have committed treason before his untimely death. Determined to dull her pain with revelry, Verity’s first impulse is to dismiss the derogatory claim. But the mystery sender knows too much—including the fact that during the war, Verity worked for the Secret Service, something not even Sidney knew.
Lured to Umbersea Island to attend the engagement party of one of Sidney’s fellow officers, Verity mingles among the men her husband once fought beside, and discovers dark secrets—along with a murder clearly meant to conceal them. Relying on little more than a coded letter, the help of a dashing stranger, and her own sharp instincts, Verity is forced down a path she never imagined—and comes face to face with the shattering possibility that her husband may not have been the man she thought he was. It’s a truth that could set her free—or draw her ever deeper into his deception . . .
England, 1919. Verity Kent’s grief over the loss of her husband pierces anew when she receives a cryptic letter, suggesting her beloved Sidney may have committed treason before his untimely death. Determined to dull her pain with revelry, Verity’s first impulse is to dismiss the derogatory claim. But the mystery sender knows too much—including the fact that during the war, Verity worked for the Secret Service, something not even Sidney knew.
Lured to Umbersea Island to attend the engagement party of one of Sidney’s fellow officers, Verity mingles among the men her husband once fought beside, and discovers dark secrets—along with a murder clearly meant to conceal them. Relying on little more than a coded letter, the help of a dashing stranger, and her own sharp instincts, Verity is forced down a path she never imagined—and comes face to face with the shattering possibility that her husband may not have been the man she thought he was. It’s a truth that could set her free—or draw her ever deeper into his deception . . .
I was looking forward to reading this series by the same author that writes the Lady Darby mysteries, and it didn't disappoint. I was hoping for a different audio narrator though, because I don't care for this one, but it won't keep me from enjoying the series. I liked the change of time period to the early 1900s.
January Book Club Read
Ascendant (Ascendant #1) by Craig Alanson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Category: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: CleanThe Wizard's Council of Tarador was supposed to
tell young Koren Bladewell that he is a wizard. They were supposed to
tell everyone that he is not a jinx, that all the bad things that happen
around him are because he can't control the power inside him, power he
doesn't know about. The people of his village, even his parents, are
afraid of him, afraid he is cursed. That he is a dangerous, evil jinx.
The Wizard's Council didn't tell young Koren, because they know what is
best for him. Even after their silent deception destroys his life.
Crown Princess Ariana Trehayme will become queen of Tarador on her sixteenth birthday, if her weak, indecisive mother the Regent hasn't allowed their ancient enemy to conquer Tarador before then. Ariana wants her royal army to strike at the enemy, but her mother knows what is best for her, and the realm.
Together, Ariana and Koren can save Tarador, if the adults, who know best, will get out of their way.
Crown Princess Ariana Trehayme will become queen of Tarador on her sixteenth birthday, if her weak, indecisive mother the Regent hasn't allowed their ancient enemy to conquer Tarador before then. Ariana wants her royal army to strike at the enemy, but her mother knows what is best for her, and the realm.
Together, Ariana and Koren can save Tarador, if the adults, who know best, will get out of their way.
Review to come later.
January's 'Pick it for me' book
One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Content: Strong languageOne sultry summer, Maureen Haddaway arrives in
the wealthy town of Opal Beach to start her life anew—to achieve her
destiny. There, she finds herself lured by the promise of friendship,
love, starry skies, and wild parties. But Maureen’s new life just might
be too good to be true, and before the summer is up, she vanishes.
Decades later, when Allison Simpson is offered the opportunity to house-sit in Opal Beach during the off-season, it seems like the perfect chance to begin fresh after a messy divorce. But when she becomes drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a girl thirty years before, Allison realizes the gorgeous homes of Opal Beach hide dark secrets. And the truth of that long-ago summer is not even the most shocking part of all...
Decades later, when Allison Simpson is offered the opportunity to house-sit in Opal Beach during the off-season, it seems like the perfect chance to begin fresh after a messy divorce. But when she becomes drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a girl thirty years before, Allison realizes the gorgeous homes of Opal Beach hide dark secrets. And the truth of that long-ago summer is not even the most shocking part of all...
I liked this book but didn't love it, thus the 3 star rating. It had a pretty good mystery element to it, but it was slow paced and not a lot was happening through parts of it. I did end up figuring out who the killer was before I got to the end of the book. I was mainly hoping for more suspense than this book delivered. Also, there was sort of a paranormal element to it that didn't really work for me.
Buddy read at Fantasy Buddy Reads
The Ember Blade (The Darkwater Legacy #1) by Chris Wooding
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Strong language, Suicide by hanging, A boy is beatenEmpires rise, civilisations fall and one culture
comes to subsume another. It's the way of the world . . . sometimes
ways of life are improved, sometimes they are not. But the progression
of change is huge and - usually - unstoppable.
In this story, the Ossian way of life is fading and the Dachen way is taking its place and Aren is comfortable with that. Even when his parents are accused of treason he supports the establishment and maintains there's been some mistake . . . which is all it takes to get himself and his best friend arrested . . .
Thrown into a prison mine they plan their escape - only to be overtaken by events when they're rescued, and promptly find themselves in the middle of an ambush. By the time they've escaped, they're unavoidably linked to Garric - their unwelcome saviour - and his quest to overturn to Dachen way of life.
If they leave Garric now, they'll be arrested or killed by their pursuers. If they turn him in, Garric will kill them. If they stay with him, they'll be abetting a murderous quest they don't believe in. There are no good options - but Aren will still have to choose a path . . .
Designed to return to classic fantasy adventures and values, from a modern perspective, this is a fast-moving coming-of-age trilogy featuring a strong cast of diverse characters, brilliant set-pieces and a strong character and plot driven story.
In this story, the Ossian way of life is fading and the Dachen way is taking its place and Aren is comfortable with that. Even when his parents are accused of treason he supports the establishment and maintains there's been some mistake . . . which is all it takes to get himself and his best friend arrested . . .
Thrown into a prison mine they plan their escape - only to be overtaken by events when they're rescued, and promptly find themselves in the middle of an ambush. By the time they've escaped, they're unavoidably linked to Garric - their unwelcome saviour - and his quest to overturn to Dachen way of life.
If they leave Garric now, they'll be arrested or killed by their pursuers. If they turn him in, Garric will kill them. If they stay with him, they'll be abetting a murderous quest they don't believe in. There are no good options - but Aren will still have to choose a path . . .
Designed to return to classic fantasy adventures and values, from a modern perspective, this is a fast-moving coming-of-age trilogy featuring a strong cast of diverse characters, brilliant set-pieces and a strong character and plot driven story.
This was a re read of this before the second book is released in February. I originally gave this 4 stars, but I'm giving it 3.5 stars this time. Here's a link to my original review.
I think this is supposed to be an adult book, but it reads a lot like a young adult book. There are a couple of pretty dark things thrown in that are rather jarring compared to the rest of the story, and I can see how some people might not like that. I found it kind of interesting that when I read this the first time, I liked the characters so much, but when I read it this time I didn't like them all that much. I still plan on reading the second book, but I'm less enthusiastic about it now.
Buddy read at Fantasy Buddy Reads
Magic Tides (Kate Daniels: The Willimgton Years #1) by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Content: Strong language, Human trafficking involving adults and childrenKate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left
Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city
and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to
erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran
guards the homefront.
It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!
It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!
I was surprised to learn that Ilona Andrews has decided to return to Kate Daniels with a novella, and it looks like it's the first in a new series. I couldn't be more excited! It was so nice to be back with Kate and Curran, and family. I mostly loved this, but if I had to pick a flaw I would say that everything was too
easy for Kate. But I think they were going for more of a fun vibe,
instead of a lot of danger and 'edge of your seat' kind of stuff. One thing that I thought was maybe not really necessary for the story was the part on the ferry. But
if that wasn't in the book, then we wouldn't have had one of the best parts in the whole book (hint, it involves a kraken), so I'm glad it was there. Overall this was a fun read and I hope they really do write more in this series.
The sisters of Sea View (On Devonshire Shores #1) by Julie Klassen
No rating yet because I'm still reading it.
Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .
When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.
Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars—both visible and those hidden deep within—and her cloistered heart will never be the same.
Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.
When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.
Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars—both visible and those hidden deep within—and her cloistered heart will never be the same.
Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.
I've been eagerly anticipating this book. I adored Julie Klassen's last series, Tales From Ivy Hill, and was hoping this one would be just as good. So far I'm loving this book. I'll post a review later.
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