Kathy's (kmartin802's) Third 2021 Thread (July - September)
Snak75 Books Challenge for 2021
Bliv bruger af LibraryThing, hvis du vil skrive et indlæg
2PaulCranswick
Congratulations on a third thread, Kathy.
With you, I know that your threads reflect the number of books you are reading which is never short of impressive.
With you, I know that your threads reflect the number of books you are reading which is never short of impressive.
4kmartin802
>2 PaulCranswick: Thanks. A pandemic isn't good for much -- but it is good for reading.
5kmartin802
184. The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams (298 p.; 8:34) -- Nora Pennington finds a young woman who has taken refuge in her bookstore and she and her friends are determined to help her. Abilene Tyler is on the run from an abusive situation and her abuser is on her trail. There are also several murders, hidden treasure, and great references to books and the power of the right book at the right time. Nice cozy.
185. Cast in Oblivion by Michelle Sagara (544 p.) -- Very complex epic fantasy; 14th in series. Kaylin needs to go along when her Barrani guests face their Test of Name because other Barrani want to make a deal with Shadow and the cage that holds it might not survive without Kaylin's help. Kaylin is Chosen and has marks on her body. She doesn't know how to use them and she didn't choose them. This story dwells a lot on the matter of choice and the nature of home.
185. Cast in Oblivion by Michelle Sagara (544 p.) -- Very complex epic fantasy; 14th in series. Kaylin needs to go along when her Barrani guests face their Test of Name because other Barrani want to make a deal with Shadow and the cage that holds it might not survive without Kaylin's help. Kaylin is Chosen and has marks on her body. She doesn't know how to use them and she didn't choose them. This story dwells a lot on the matter of choice and the nature of home.
6PaulCranswick
>4 kmartin802: Indeed Kathy. I have read quite a bit more this year and partly because of the lockdowns implemented here in Malaysia.
7kmartin802
186. Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara (544 p.;17:28) -- Next exciting episode in the Chronicles of Elantra. Kaylin and her companions are exploring the borderlands between fiefs when they discover a sentient building that an evil fief lord is trying to take over. It is the same fief lord who let Shadow travel through his fief to Elantra. The building was a former Academie which the Arkon attended as a youth. Great world building.
187. Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr and Jeaniene Frost (256 p.) -- Three urban fantasy novellas. I read the ones by Armstrong and Frost and am saving the Marr until I read other books set in the world.
188. Cast in Conflict by Michelle Sagara (461 p.; 17:38) -- Kaylin finds herself stuck between Bellusdeo and Sedarias who both want to claim Candallar's Tower now that Candallar is dead. Besides dealing with a cranky tower, the Outcaste Dragon has decided this is time to try to bring Shadow to Elantra and capture Bellusdeo for his own.
189. At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis (368 p.) -- Review. Artist Bertie Preston is commissioned by Julian, Earl of Wakeford, to paint some pictures of his home. She is hoping this will lead to commissions and independence. She arrives to find an Earl in isolation after terrible war wounds and a family struggling. She falls for Julian but he is deeply and emotionally damaged and loving him would mean changing her dreams. Great exploration of women's rights, the horrors of war, and the social changes building in 1922. Emotionally charged and intense.
190. The Family Plot by Megan Collins (320 p.) -- Review. Dahlia Lighthouse tells the story of her upbringing raised by a family obsessed with true crime and homeschooled on an island with its own serial killer. Her twin Andy disappears on their 16th birthday and Dahlia spends the next 10 years obsessively searching for him online. When she returns to the island for her father's funeral, Andy is found buried in her father's burial plot on the island. The story tells how each of her siblings and her mother react to their grief which are all variously odd. Dahlia is determined to find out who murdered Andy and discovers a lot of secrets along the way. Told from Dahlia's point-of-view, the story was weirdly compelling.
191. White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz (395 p.; 8:48) -- Clare Lancaster is a human lie detector, a Level 10+ according to the Arcane Society. Jake Salter is a Level 10+ hunter talent. They meet in Arizona where Clare's investigation into the murder of her half-sister Elizabeth's abusive husband overlaps with Jake's investigation of a possible new Cabal. The two fall in love. Lots of action, danger, witty banter, and quirky characters in this 2nd Arcane Society story.
192. Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr (276 p.; 8:27) -- First Anna Pigeon mystery set in National Parks. Anna is a great character: 39, widowed, drinks too much, loves nature, socially isolated. When she finds the body of a fellow ranger apparently dead of a cougar attack, Anna isn't convinced and her investigation leads to great personal danger and a satisfying conclusion.
193. A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton (560 p.) -- Review. First in a new series. Detective Zaniel Havelock is an Angel Speaker and a cop. His case has to do with demon possession by a strange new kind of demon. Lots of great worldbuilding and interesting characters.
187. Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr and Jeaniene Frost (256 p.) -- Three urban fantasy novellas. I read the ones by Armstrong and Frost and am saving the Marr until I read other books set in the world.
188. Cast in Conflict by Michelle Sagara (461 p.; 17:38) -- Kaylin finds herself stuck between Bellusdeo and Sedarias who both want to claim Candallar's Tower now that Candallar is dead. Besides dealing with a cranky tower, the Outcaste Dragon has decided this is time to try to bring Shadow to Elantra and capture Bellusdeo for his own.
189. At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis (368 p.) -- Review. Artist Bertie Preston is commissioned by Julian, Earl of Wakeford, to paint some pictures of his home. She is hoping this will lead to commissions and independence. She arrives to find an Earl in isolation after terrible war wounds and a family struggling. She falls for Julian but he is deeply and emotionally damaged and loving him would mean changing her dreams. Great exploration of women's rights, the horrors of war, and the social changes building in 1922. Emotionally charged and intense.
190. The Family Plot by Megan Collins (320 p.) -- Review. Dahlia Lighthouse tells the story of her upbringing raised by a family obsessed with true crime and homeschooled on an island with its own serial killer. Her twin Andy disappears on their 16th birthday and Dahlia spends the next 10 years obsessively searching for him online. When she returns to the island for her father's funeral, Andy is found buried in her father's burial plot on the island. The story tells how each of her siblings and her mother react to their grief which are all variously odd. Dahlia is determined to find out who murdered Andy and discovers a lot of secrets along the way. Told from Dahlia's point-of-view, the story was weirdly compelling.
191. White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz (395 p.; 8:48) -- Clare Lancaster is a human lie detector, a Level 10+ according to the Arcane Society. Jake Salter is a Level 10+ hunter talent. They meet in Arizona where Clare's investigation into the murder of her half-sister Elizabeth's abusive husband overlaps with Jake's investigation of a possible new Cabal. The two fall in love. Lots of action, danger, witty banter, and quirky characters in this 2nd Arcane Society story.
192. Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr (276 p.; 8:27) -- First Anna Pigeon mystery set in National Parks. Anna is a great character: 39, widowed, drinks too much, loves nature, socially isolated. When she finds the body of a fellow ranger apparently dead of a cougar attack, Anna isn't convinced and her investigation leads to great personal danger and a satisfying conclusion.
193. A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton (560 p.) -- Review. First in a new series. Detective Zaniel Havelock is an Angel Speaker and a cop. His case has to do with demon possession by a strange new kind of demon. Lots of great worldbuilding and interesting characters.
8kmartin802
194. All Night Long with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews (320 p.) -- Review. Harriet is the local school librarian; Jensen is the local playboy. They meet when Harriet convinces him to come speak to some of her summer school students. They fall in love but Jensen is still mired in guilt because of an accident that cost the life of his best friend in high school and doesn't feel he deserves any of the things his friend would have had if he'd lived. Harriet never though she'd fall in love because she always thought of herself as the odd one out in any situation and was content to live her quiet, solitary life. Great characters and a nice romance.
195. Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey (369 p.; 10:02) -- Daisy Johanssen is hell-spawn with the demon father and human mother. She works for the Pemkowet Police Department as a file clerk but she is also the agent of Hel, Norse goddess, who deals with any problems with the eldritch community in this tourist town. When a frat boy is found drowned, she and her crush Deputy Cody Fairfax are tasked to investigate which leads to kidnapping, ghouls, a kidnapped mermaid, and college boys who get their kicks out of having sex with the eldritch. Great worldbuilding and a fascinating group of characters.
196. Eyes of the Forest by April Henry (272 p.) -- Review. High School student Bridget works as a research assistant to best-selling author RM Haldon but he is suffering severe writer's block with his current book - the finale in an epic fantasy series that has inspired a television series and a LARP along with the extremely popular books. He arranges with his housekeeper and her son to "Kidnap" him to force him to write but for them the kidnapping is real. He manages to get a coded email out to Bridget but it takes her a while to decode it and then no one will believe her when she tells them Bob has been kidnapped leaving her to rescue him herself. This story had a lot about obsessive fans.
197. Autumn Bones by Jacqueline Carey (433 p.; 12:58) -- Daisy's second adventure has her dealing with rutting satyrs and Sinclair's family of obeahs and duppies. Then there is graverobbing and reanimated ghosts for Daisy and her partner Cody to deal with. Hel has given a deadline of Halloween to solve the problems or lose her job. It hardly leaves time for her to deal with her rather complicated love life between sort-of normal Sinclair to werewolf Cody to ghoul Stefan. Great worldbuilding.
198. Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey (441 p.; 15:48) -- Engaging end to UF trilogy has Daisy in a battle to save her town when it is sued for damages resulting from the incidents at Halloween. The lawyer is the same Hell Spawn who appeared in the other books. Daisy has to make some serious decisions about whether or not to claim her legacy from her demon father.
199. Enola Holmes and Boy in Buttons by Nancy Springer (50 p.; 32 minutes) -- Short story where Enola finds her missing page boy.
200. A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones (412 p.; 11:41) -- This mystery deftly combines humor and terror as Sunshine Vicram takes over as sheriff of the semi-weird town of Del Sol, New Mexico. Her first day includes a flasher named Doug, a stolen rooster named Puff Daddy, and a kidnapped young girl named Sybil. Also starring is Sun's 14-year-old daughter Auri who has her own problems with the mean girls and her own mysteries to solve. I loved the relationship between Sun and Auri.
195. Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey (369 p.; 10:02) -- Daisy Johanssen is hell-spawn with the demon father and human mother. She works for the Pemkowet Police Department as a file clerk but she is also the agent of Hel, Norse goddess, who deals with any problems with the eldritch community in this tourist town. When a frat boy is found drowned, she and her crush Deputy Cody Fairfax are tasked to investigate which leads to kidnapping, ghouls, a kidnapped mermaid, and college boys who get their kicks out of having sex with the eldritch. Great worldbuilding and a fascinating group of characters.
196. Eyes of the Forest by April Henry (272 p.) -- Review. High School student Bridget works as a research assistant to best-selling author RM Haldon but he is suffering severe writer's block with his current book - the finale in an epic fantasy series that has inspired a television series and a LARP along with the extremely popular books. He arranges with his housekeeper and her son to "Kidnap" him to force him to write but for them the kidnapping is real. He manages to get a coded email out to Bridget but it takes her a while to decode it and then no one will believe her when she tells them Bob has been kidnapped leaving her to rescue him herself. This story had a lot about obsessive fans.
197. Autumn Bones by Jacqueline Carey (433 p.; 12:58) -- Daisy's second adventure has her dealing with rutting satyrs and Sinclair's family of obeahs and duppies. Then there is graverobbing and reanimated ghosts for Daisy and her partner Cody to deal with. Hel has given a deadline of Halloween to solve the problems or lose her job. It hardly leaves time for her to deal with her rather complicated love life between sort-of normal Sinclair to werewolf Cody to ghoul Stefan. Great worldbuilding.
198. Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey (441 p.; 15:48) -- Engaging end to UF trilogy has Daisy in a battle to save her town when it is sued for damages resulting from the incidents at Halloween. The lawyer is the same Hell Spawn who appeared in the other books. Daisy has to make some serious decisions about whether or not to claim her legacy from her demon father.
199. Enola Holmes and Boy in Buttons by Nancy Springer (50 p.; 32 minutes) -- Short story where Enola finds her missing page boy.
200. A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones (412 p.; 11:41) -- This mystery deftly combines humor and terror as Sunshine Vicram takes over as sheriff of the semi-weird town of Del Sol, New Mexico. Her first day includes a flasher named Doug, a stolen rooster named Puff Daddy, and a kidnapped young girl named Sybil. Also starring is Sun's 14-year-old daughter Auri who has her own problems with the mean girls and her own mysteries to solve. I loved the relationship between Sun and Auri.
9kmartin802
201. More Than Fiends by Maureen Child (269 p.) -- Humorous urban fantasy about a small town woman who finds out her destiny is to kill demons on her 32nd birthday. That's the same day the man who fathered her 15-year-old daughter returns to town and learns about her and she meets a sexy demon named Devlin. Lots of pop culture references and humorous situations.
202. Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber (304 p.) -- Review. Verity is finally returning to her family home under pressure from her mother. She hasn't been back since the war and the loss of her brother Rob. She has buried her grief in her work as a secret agent and in alcohol and parties. But now it is time to confront her grief. There is also a mystery. Her great aunt Ilse has arrived from Germany with her new maid because of threats she received. She fears that she is being followed. Her grat aunt's problems started with a mission Verity did which involved her aunt but is buried under the Official Secrets Act. When the maid is murdered, Verity investigates and almost runs afoul of the killer.
203. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer (272 p.) -- Review. Enola's next case concerns a bride who supposedly died of a fever and been cremated. The bride's sister brings the case to Sherlock but Enola is there and is intrigued. The story is much concerned with women and their lack of rights. Enola faces prejudice as she investigates and the wife was committed to a mental institution because her husband was tired of her. Lots of action and disguises.
204. Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston (400 p.) -- Review. This latest honey badger adventure is filled all the zany adventures and snarky dialog of the earlier books. I loved the characters who have all the traits of the animal they shift to - cranky, sociopathic honey badgers and arrogant rude tigers -- among others. There are lots of plot threads and lots and lots of characters - many who were introduced in earlier books. The main plot threads have to do with the tiger shifters looking for the person or person who murdered their father and one of the honey badgers dealing with her family and the death of her grandmother.
205. Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick (345 p.; 10:52) -- Quick returns to classic form with the mystery/romance. Amity Doncaster is a world traveler, writer, and free-thinker. Benedict Stanbridge is rich and socially connected but more interested in engineering than socializing. She meets him when she saves his life on a tropical island. He has undertaken his first and only spy mission for his uncle. Returning to London, Amity almost becomes the victim of a serial killer known as the Bridegroom. Amity and Benedict need to find the Bridegroom before he kills again, thwart the Russian spy who tried to kill him, and fall in love. Very satisfying story with quirky characters and great dialog between them.
206. The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz (400 p.; 8:15) -- First in new Fogg Lake paranormal suspense trilogy. Catalina Lark inherited paranormal powers from her family who was in Fogg Lake when the accident happened. She uses her skills to investigate crime scenes but was outed as a psychic after a recent case. Slater Arganbright suffered an attack by radiation that has changed his psychic powers. He's sent by his uncle to investigate a series of deaths of collectors of paranormal objects. He arrives just in time to find Catalina searching for her kidnapped partner. The two team up to solve both cases which are linked. I liked the characters and the banter between them.
207. All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz (336 p.; 9:29) -- The second in the Fogg lake series is another engaging paranormal romance/mystery by a prolific author. Sierra Raines is currently a go-between who delivers paranormal artifacts from seller to buyer. But she is looking for her real calling. North Chastain is a cleaner working for the Foundation who is losing his paranormal powers when his father is attacked and it is up to North to find the device that was the weapon used to try to kill him. The two get together to hunt down the weapon and face lots of dangers. The two fall in love. There is a lot of witty banter between them.
208. Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold (109 p.; 4:02) -- Penric, doing a good deed, finds himself the possessor of a very powerful demon much to the consternation of those in authority. He has to learn about demons by himself as those in charge are strongly considering taking the demon from him and destroying it. Penric needs to find a way to save and protect his demon. Great story about the world of the Five Gods.
209. A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander (320 p.; 9:36) -- Lady Emily Ashton's 3rd adventure begins at a house party in England and also takes her to Vienna in search of a murderer. Her friend Ivy's husband Robert Brandon is accused of killing Lord Fortescue and it is up to Emily to clear his name. Lord Fortescue with a political kingpin who used blackmail frequently. Meanwhile, Emily's fiance Colin who works for the Crown is on the track of plot that could lead to war. Throw in Colin's former romantic partner who doesn't want to let Colin go, and you have an interesting and complicated historical mystery.
210. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh (364 p.; 9:44) -- This is the second in the Guild Hunter series. Elena has been in a coma for a year. When she wakes up she is an angel. She has to learn to manage her new body and quickly. Until she does, she is nothing but a weak point for Raphael in the eyes of the other angels. She faces many attempts on her life while learning her new skills. She is also an object of curiosity for Lijuan - a very powerful Archangel that even the other angels fear. Meanwhile, she has to work on her relationship with Raphael who is a very powerful Archangel and makes other Alpha males look a little soft and fluffy. Elena is strong and is able to forge a relationship of equals because they do both love each other. The world created is fascinating and fully developed. The characters are well-rounded with both strengths and weaknesses. I loved the book.
202. Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber (304 p.) -- Review. Verity is finally returning to her family home under pressure from her mother. She hasn't been back since the war and the loss of her brother Rob. She has buried her grief in her work as a secret agent and in alcohol and parties. But now it is time to confront her grief. There is also a mystery. Her great aunt Ilse has arrived from Germany with her new maid because of threats she received. She fears that she is being followed. Her grat aunt's problems started with a mission Verity did which involved her aunt but is buried under the Official Secrets Act. When the maid is murdered, Verity investigates and almost runs afoul of the killer.
203. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer (272 p.) -- Review. Enola's next case concerns a bride who supposedly died of a fever and been cremated. The bride's sister brings the case to Sherlock but Enola is there and is intrigued. The story is much concerned with women and their lack of rights. Enola faces prejudice as she investigates and the wife was committed to a mental institution because her husband was tired of her. Lots of action and disguises.
204. Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston (400 p.) -- Review. This latest honey badger adventure is filled all the zany adventures and snarky dialog of the earlier books. I loved the characters who have all the traits of the animal they shift to - cranky, sociopathic honey badgers and arrogant rude tigers -- among others. There are lots of plot threads and lots and lots of characters - many who were introduced in earlier books. The main plot threads have to do with the tiger shifters looking for the person or person who murdered their father and one of the honey badgers dealing with her family and the death of her grandmother.
205. Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick (345 p.; 10:52) -- Quick returns to classic form with the mystery/romance. Amity Doncaster is a world traveler, writer, and free-thinker. Benedict Stanbridge is rich and socially connected but more interested in engineering than socializing. She meets him when she saves his life on a tropical island. He has undertaken his first and only spy mission for his uncle. Returning to London, Amity almost becomes the victim of a serial killer known as the Bridegroom. Amity and Benedict need to find the Bridegroom before he kills again, thwart the Russian spy who tried to kill him, and fall in love. Very satisfying story with quirky characters and great dialog between them.
206. The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz (400 p.; 8:15) -- First in new Fogg Lake paranormal suspense trilogy. Catalina Lark inherited paranormal powers from her family who was in Fogg Lake when the accident happened. She uses her skills to investigate crime scenes but was outed as a psychic after a recent case. Slater Arganbright suffered an attack by radiation that has changed his psychic powers. He's sent by his uncle to investigate a series of deaths of collectors of paranormal objects. He arrives just in time to find Catalina searching for her kidnapped partner. The two team up to solve both cases which are linked. I liked the characters and the banter between them.
207. All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz (336 p.; 9:29) -- The second in the Fogg lake series is another engaging paranormal romance/mystery by a prolific author. Sierra Raines is currently a go-between who delivers paranormal artifacts from seller to buyer. But she is looking for her real calling. North Chastain is a cleaner working for the Foundation who is losing his paranormal powers when his father is attacked and it is up to North to find the device that was the weapon used to try to kill him. The two get together to hunt down the weapon and face lots of dangers. The two fall in love. There is a lot of witty banter between them.
208. Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold (109 p.; 4:02) -- Penric, doing a good deed, finds himself the possessor of a very powerful demon much to the consternation of those in authority. He has to learn about demons by himself as those in charge are strongly considering taking the demon from him and destroying it. Penric needs to find a way to save and protect his demon. Great story about the world of the Five Gods.
209. A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander (320 p.; 9:36) -- Lady Emily Ashton's 3rd adventure begins at a house party in England and also takes her to Vienna in search of a murderer. Her friend Ivy's husband Robert Brandon is accused of killing Lord Fortescue and it is up to Emily to clear his name. Lord Fortescue with a political kingpin who used blackmail frequently. Meanwhile, Emily's fiance Colin who works for the Crown is on the track of plot that could lead to war. Throw in Colin's former romantic partner who doesn't want to let Colin go, and you have an interesting and complicated historical mystery.
210. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh (364 p.; 9:44) -- This is the second in the Guild Hunter series. Elena has been in a coma for a year. When she wakes up she is an angel. She has to learn to manage her new body and quickly. Until she does, she is nothing but a weak point for Raphael in the eyes of the other angels. She faces many attempts on her life while learning her new skills. She is also an object of curiosity for Lijuan - a very powerful Archangel that even the other angels fear. Meanwhile, she has to work on her relationship with Raphael who is a very powerful Archangel and makes other Alpha males look a little soft and fluffy. Elena is strong and is able to forge a relationship of equals because they do both love each other. The world created is fascinating and fully developed. The characters are well-rounded with both strengths and weaknesses. I loved the book.
10kmartin802
211. Second Sight by Amanda Quick (412 p.) -- This story set late in Queen Victoria's reign is the first in the Arcane Society series. Venetia Milton is a photographer hired to take pictures of objects in the Arcane Society's collection. She has a one-night stand with Gabriel Jones before an invasion of thieves has Gabriel send her away for her safety. Believing him dead, she decides to use his last name when she sets up a photography studio and gallery in London. Imagine her surprise when he returns from the grave and moves in to protect her and her family from the same threats. Lots of witty banter, great characters, and an action-filled plot make this a fun story.
212. Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh (337 p.; 10:31) -- Elena and Raphael are back in New York. She is learning more about being and angel and also trying to reclaim her life as a Hunter. Trouble is brewing. It might be that Raphael's mother is waking again after her 1000 year sleep. But will she awaken sane or still as insane as she was when she went to sleep? The possible awakening is causing angels and vampires to behave in uncharacteristic ways and leaving an opening for Lijuan to try to grab more power.
213. A Fire in the Night by Christopher Swann (288 p.) -- Review. Action-packed thriller starring a retired history professor and former spy who has locked himself away in the mountains of North Carolina grieving the death of his wife and the niece he didn't know he had who is fleeing mercenaries who murdered her parents and want her dead after she gives them the information she got from her father. Engaging main characters and some sections from the viewpoint of the leader of the mercenaries kept my attention.
214. Tinker by Wen Spencer (448 p.; 13:01) -- First in the Elfhome series introduces girl genius Tinker and her world - a Pittsburgh that shifts between Earth and Elfhome when China's interdimensional gate is turned on or off. She is the daughter of the genius who invented the gate who has been hidden in Pittsburgh but now her identity is outed and both the NSA and the Oni want her to make a gate for them. She also finds herself married the Windwolf who is the viceroy on Elfhome of the lands where Pittsburgh sits. I love both the magic and the physics and the relationship between Tinker and Windwolf.
215. Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer (368 p.;13:10) -- Direct sequel to TINKER. With Pittsburgh now stuck on Elfhome and a spatial discontinuity in the city, Tinker needs to fix things. She's being plagued by prophetic dreams based on the Wizard of Oz that are leaving her confused and sleep-deprived, Meanwhile, Windwolf is dealing with elven politics and a potential land grab by another clan while trying to root out the hidden oni who want to conquer Elfhome. Great characters and great worldbuilding.
216. Elfhome by Wen Spencer (384 p.; 14:05) -- Oilcan rescues a child of the Stone Clan and learns others are also missing. He and Tinker rescue them from oni control and Oilcan ends up taking them in while Tinker tries to discover what it is about them that make them so attractive to the oni. Meanwhile, Tommy Chang is trying to find a way for his half-oni people to fit in in the new Pittsburgh without entering into sponsorship which looks too much like the slavery of the oni. Great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
217. Wood Sprites by Wen Spencer (543 p.; 17:55) -- Nine-year-old twin geniuses Louise and Jillian Mayer are the stars. Living in New York City and attending a school for the gifted, they are secretly the creators of films showing life on Elfhome. When they learn that their parents are not genetically their parents, they go on a quest to discover their past which leads to a current sibling - Tinker - on Elfhome and 4 embryos still in the fertility bank that need rescuing before disposal. They learn their parents were astrocaut Esme Shenske and inventor Leonardo Dufae. They find themselves in the middle of a plot to take over Elfhome by the oni and only their brilliance and help from an odd assortment of allies will let them all survive.
218. Project Elfhome by Wen Spencer (542 p.; 19:13) -- This book is a series of interconnected stories that tell about what life is like in Elfhome if you are not one of the main characters in the series. Law is a forager with a hero complex who saves a young elf who has been shunned by the other clans. Jane is the producer for a show about backyard gardens and the dangerous plants that can inhabit them. She is also a native who hasn't given up looking for her young sister who disappeared some years ago. Olivia is an illegal immigrant who arrived pregnant and on the run from her abusive spouse. She takes on responsibility for an insane elf to make a place for herself in Elfhome. All of these characters have a part to play in the on-going war between the elves and the oni with humans caught in the middle.
219. For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black (316 p.) -- After legal troubles in Charlotte, Jenna Quinn arrives at her uncle's in Hokes Folly to discover his murdered body. She becomes suspect #1 when it is learned that he left everything to her. Then Normal Childers shows up saying he's her uncle's illegitimate son and everything belongs to him. When he's found dead, Jenna needs to find out who murdered her uncle and why in to clear her name. Nice characters and a nicely twisty plot.
220. Magic in the Wind by Christine Feehan (112 p.; 4:03) -- Sarah Drake is assigned to protect scientist Damon Wilder who is living in her home town. Sarah is the oldest of the seven Drake sisters who all have paranormal gifts. She's a precog which helps in her job which is lucky since the men who kidnapped and tortured Damon are still on his trail. I liked the magic and the relationship between Sarah and Damon.
212. Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh (337 p.; 10:31) -- Elena and Raphael are back in New York. She is learning more about being and angel and also trying to reclaim her life as a Hunter. Trouble is brewing. It might be that Raphael's mother is waking again after her 1000 year sleep. But will she awaken sane or still as insane as she was when she went to sleep? The possible awakening is causing angels and vampires to behave in uncharacteristic ways and leaving an opening for Lijuan to try to grab more power.
213. A Fire in the Night by Christopher Swann (288 p.) -- Review. Action-packed thriller starring a retired history professor and former spy who has locked himself away in the mountains of North Carolina grieving the death of his wife and the niece he didn't know he had who is fleeing mercenaries who murdered her parents and want her dead after she gives them the information she got from her father. Engaging main characters and some sections from the viewpoint of the leader of the mercenaries kept my attention.
214. Tinker by Wen Spencer (448 p.; 13:01) -- First in the Elfhome series introduces girl genius Tinker and her world - a Pittsburgh that shifts between Earth and Elfhome when China's interdimensional gate is turned on or off. She is the daughter of the genius who invented the gate who has been hidden in Pittsburgh but now her identity is outed and both the NSA and the Oni want her to make a gate for them. She also finds herself married the Windwolf who is the viceroy on Elfhome of the lands where Pittsburgh sits. I love both the magic and the physics and the relationship between Tinker and Windwolf.
215. Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer (368 p.;13:10) -- Direct sequel to TINKER. With Pittsburgh now stuck on Elfhome and a spatial discontinuity in the city, Tinker needs to fix things. She's being plagued by prophetic dreams based on the Wizard of Oz that are leaving her confused and sleep-deprived, Meanwhile, Windwolf is dealing with elven politics and a potential land grab by another clan while trying to root out the hidden oni who want to conquer Elfhome. Great characters and great worldbuilding.
216. Elfhome by Wen Spencer (384 p.; 14:05) -- Oilcan rescues a child of the Stone Clan and learns others are also missing. He and Tinker rescue them from oni control and Oilcan ends up taking them in while Tinker tries to discover what it is about them that make them so attractive to the oni. Meanwhile, Tommy Chang is trying to find a way for his half-oni people to fit in in the new Pittsburgh without entering into sponsorship which looks too much like the slavery of the oni. Great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
217. Wood Sprites by Wen Spencer (543 p.; 17:55) -- Nine-year-old twin geniuses Louise and Jillian Mayer are the stars. Living in New York City and attending a school for the gifted, they are secretly the creators of films showing life on Elfhome. When they learn that their parents are not genetically their parents, they go on a quest to discover their past which leads to a current sibling - Tinker - on Elfhome and 4 embryos still in the fertility bank that need rescuing before disposal. They learn their parents were astrocaut Esme Shenske and inventor Leonardo Dufae. They find themselves in the middle of a plot to take over Elfhome by the oni and only their brilliance and help from an odd assortment of allies will let them all survive.
218. Project Elfhome by Wen Spencer (542 p.; 19:13) -- This book is a series of interconnected stories that tell about what life is like in Elfhome if you are not one of the main characters in the series. Law is a forager with a hero complex who saves a young elf who has been shunned by the other clans. Jane is the producer for a show about backyard gardens and the dangerous plants that can inhabit them. She is also a native who hasn't given up looking for her young sister who disappeared some years ago. Olivia is an illegal immigrant who arrived pregnant and on the run from her abusive spouse. She takes on responsibility for an insane elf to make a place for herself in Elfhome. All of these characters have a part to play in the on-going war between the elves and the oni with humans caught in the middle.
219. For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black (316 p.) -- After legal troubles in Charlotte, Jenna Quinn arrives at her uncle's in Hokes Folly to discover his murdered body. She becomes suspect #1 when it is learned that he left everything to her. Then Normal Childers shows up saying he's her uncle's illegitimate son and everything belongs to him. When he's found dead, Jenna needs to find out who murdered her uncle and why in to clear her name. Nice characters and a nicely twisty plot.
220. Magic in the Wind by Christine Feehan (112 p.; 4:03) -- Sarah Drake is assigned to protect scientist Damon Wilder who is living in her home town. Sarah is the oldest of the seven Drake sisters who all have paranormal gifts. She's a precog which helps in her job which is lucky since the men who kidnapped and tortured Damon are still on his trail. I liked the magic and the relationship between Sarah and Damon.
11kmartin802
221. Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black (304 p.) -- Review. Jenna Quinn needs to find a murderer when one of the guests at her bookstore's grand reopening is found bludgeoned to death with a bookend he won as a door prize. Lots of other attendees had reasons to want Linus Talbot dead and Jenna has to sort through the clues to find the killer. Interesting quirky characters and a grear main character.
222. Crooked in His Ways by S. M. Goodwin (336 p.) -- Review. Lightner and Law book 2. Setting NYC 1956. The duo investigate a rich man who was murdered, dismembered, covered in salt and shipped to New Orleans before being sent back to NYC. They discover he was an extortionist and smuggler which gives them a very large pool of people who wanted him dead. Great setting and great characters.
223. When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting (288 p.) -- Review. Best friends to lovers trope. When Avery is injured in a car accident that Declan blames himself for, he becomes her primary caregiver. While she's recovering both can no longer fight the love that has been growing for years. His relationship issues are the biggest roadblock to their happy ending.
224. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters (416 p.; 10 hours) -- Amelia, Emerson, and Ramses are back in Egypt for the winter excavation season. They face a disappointing site but still have murders to solve. A scrap of papyrus, a mummy case that disappears and reappears, a kidnapped lion cub, and Amelia's first encounter with the Master Criminal make this one fast-paced. I love that the story is told from Amelia's unique viewpoint.
225. Her Renegade Cowboy by Lora Leigh (304 p.) -- Review. Lily Donovan testified against a serial rapist turned serial killer but refused to go into witness protection. When he escapes from prison, Deputy Marshal Levi Roberts goes undercover to protect her. They meet, fall into bed, and have frequent hot sex almost before their first conversation and despite her being gun-shy about men and him needing to stay away from her or lose his job. Then he's outed, she get mad, and the bad guy comes to get her. This has just a little plot around the sex scenes.
226. The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer (480 p.; 18:15) -- Multi viewpoint story: Joshua, a new werewolf; Elise, a Virtue whose god given goal is to fight evil; Decker, a depressed vampire; Seth, the 16-year-old Prince of Boston. All four come together when Wickers, evil witches, try to capture Joshua to make him their puppet and new Prince of Boston. Joshua is Seth's long-lost older brother who was adopted by normals and who has been the victim of bullying his whole life. Decker finds Joshua wandering in a Boston park and takes him home which gives him a new reason to live. Elise is Decker's friend and uses Decker's special ability to locate lost things to help her track down evil. This story has great relationships and was a wonderful book.
227. A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman (336 p.) -- Review. Historical romance pairs up Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies from two families which have been enemies for generations. They have secretly loved each other since they were children but it takes getting lost in unexplored caves, discovering smugglers, and being trapped in those same caves before they can admit it. Nice setting (1815 England) and interesting characters.
228. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell (305 p.; 9:42) -- Nice historical mystery starring a poor relation of the Vanderbilt family who has to save her brother from a murder charge by investigating lots of folks connected to The Breakers and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Great characters and setting.
229. Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh (321 p.; 11:29) -- Honor is a Hunter who was kidnapped by vampires, held captive and tortured for two months. She survived but is still traumatized. Dmitri is Second in Command to Archangel Raphael and the most feared vampire in New York. When Honor is forced to leave her safe refuge of the Academy and go out and work with Dmitri on a murder, she is at first very frightened but her pride won't let her show it. Dmitri is fascinated by her and wants her as a bedmate. She has always been fascinated by him too but isn't going to do anything to make it easy for him. Both have to explore difficult pasts before they can forge a relationship that will satisfy both of them.
230. Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh (353 p.; 11:18) -- Raphael's Spymaster Jason goes to assist Archangel Neha when her consort is killed and meets Princess Mahiya. Mahiya is the despised daughter of the consort and Neha's sister and has learned to hide in plain sight while she searches for a way to escape Neha's control. Mahiya falls in love with Jason who fears that he will be forever unable to love because of traumatic events that happened when he was a child. Her courage, intelligence and optimism make a place for her in heart. Good romance.
222. Crooked in His Ways by S. M. Goodwin (336 p.) -- Review. Lightner and Law book 2. Setting NYC 1956. The duo investigate a rich man who was murdered, dismembered, covered in salt and shipped to New Orleans before being sent back to NYC. They discover he was an extortionist and smuggler which gives them a very large pool of people who wanted him dead. Great setting and great characters.
223. When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting (288 p.) -- Review. Best friends to lovers trope. When Avery is injured in a car accident that Declan blames himself for, he becomes her primary caregiver. While she's recovering both can no longer fight the love that has been growing for years. His relationship issues are the biggest roadblock to their happy ending.
224. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters (416 p.; 10 hours) -- Amelia, Emerson, and Ramses are back in Egypt for the winter excavation season. They face a disappointing site but still have murders to solve. A scrap of papyrus, a mummy case that disappears and reappears, a kidnapped lion cub, and Amelia's first encounter with the Master Criminal make this one fast-paced. I love that the story is told from Amelia's unique viewpoint.
225. Her Renegade Cowboy by Lora Leigh (304 p.) -- Review. Lily Donovan testified against a serial rapist turned serial killer but refused to go into witness protection. When he escapes from prison, Deputy Marshal Levi Roberts goes undercover to protect her. They meet, fall into bed, and have frequent hot sex almost before their first conversation and despite her being gun-shy about men and him needing to stay away from her or lose his job. Then he's outed, she get mad, and the bad guy comes to get her. This has just a little plot around the sex scenes.
226. The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer (480 p.; 18:15) -- Multi viewpoint story: Joshua, a new werewolf; Elise, a Virtue whose god given goal is to fight evil; Decker, a depressed vampire; Seth, the 16-year-old Prince of Boston. All four come together when Wickers, evil witches, try to capture Joshua to make him their puppet and new Prince of Boston. Joshua is Seth's long-lost older brother who was adopted by normals and who has been the victim of bullying his whole life. Decker finds Joshua wandering in a Boston park and takes him home which gives him a new reason to live. Elise is Decker's friend and uses Decker's special ability to locate lost things to help her track down evil. This story has great relationships and was a wonderful book.
227. A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman (336 p.) -- Review. Historical romance pairs up Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies from two families which have been enemies for generations. They have secretly loved each other since they were children but it takes getting lost in unexplored caves, discovering smugglers, and being trapped in those same caves before they can admit it. Nice setting (1815 England) and interesting characters.
228. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell (305 p.; 9:42) -- Nice historical mystery starring a poor relation of the Vanderbilt family who has to save her brother from a murder charge by investigating lots of folks connected to The Breakers and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Great characters and setting.
229. Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh (321 p.; 11:29) -- Honor is a Hunter who was kidnapped by vampires, held captive and tortured for two months. She survived but is still traumatized. Dmitri is Second in Command to Archangel Raphael and the most feared vampire in New York. When Honor is forced to leave her safe refuge of the Academy and go out and work with Dmitri on a murder, she is at first very frightened but her pride won't let her show it. Dmitri is fascinated by her and wants her as a bedmate. She has always been fascinated by him too but isn't going to do anything to make it easy for him. Both have to explore difficult pasts before they can forge a relationship that will satisfy both of them.
230. Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh (353 p.; 11:18) -- Raphael's Spymaster Jason goes to assist Archangel Neha when her consort is killed and meets Princess Mahiya. Mahiya is the despised daughter of the consort and Neha's sister and has learned to hide in plain sight while she searches for a way to escape Neha's control. Mahiya falls in love with Jason who fears that he will be forever unable to love because of traumatic events that happened when he was a child. Her courage, intelligence and optimism make a place for her in heart. Good romance.
12FAMeulstee
Congratulations on reaching 3 x 75, Kathy!
13kmartin802
231. Betrayal on the Bowery by Kate Belli (336 p.) -- Review. Genevieve Stewart and Daniel McCaffrey have a couple of mysteries to solve in this second Gilded Gotham story. After a former suitor crashes Esmie and Rupert's honeymoon suite raving of demons before he dies, Genevieve and Daniel need to find out what happens so their friends can go on their honeymoon. Then a man asks them to find his missing daughter and still another man dies. Their search takes them into the Bowery to a saloon noted for the suicides of young women and to an abandoned mansion out in the country with a bad reputation and secret tunnels and guns. They also run afoul of an old enemy of Daniel's who presents a danger to all of them and a police Detective determined to railroad their friend. Lots of action and a great setting.
232. Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh (385 p.) -- Elena and Raphael have to deal with the effects of a Cascade when all archangels are developing new powers and with a war with an enemy who has started by making angels fall from the sky and vampires die of a pox. They are gathering allies and preparing their forces to protect New York. Elena also provides the anchor to keep Raphael's new powers from leaching all the humanity from him. I love that there relationship is one of equals.
233. Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh (386 p.; 12:13) -- Ashwini and Janvier's romance. She's a hunter and he's a vampire but they worked together when Lijuan tried to take over New York. Before the war they were friendly rivals. They quietly fell in love but Ash is afraid that she will succumb to madness like the females of her family. She doesn't want to be a burden to whoever she loves. Janvier has his work cut out for him convincing her that he wants to be with her no matter what happens. Meanwhile, they are trying to track down a vampire who is draining female victims and leaving them desiccated husks.
234. In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury (304 p.) -- Review. Start of a new cozy series. Widowed tea room owner in a coastal town in Oregon needs to find out who really murdered her assistant Jenna's ex-husband or Jenna will be taking the fall for the crime. Nice characters including a potential love interest for Vivian.
235. Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh (384 p.; 12:25) -- This is Naasir and Andromeda's romance. Naasir is the most unique of Raphael's 7 and is the only one of his kind. Andromeda is a young scholar who will soon be forced to return to her depraved grandfather's court to serve for 500 years. She is afraid that her humanity and sanity won't survive her term of service. The two have to find the Ancient Alexander's sleeping place and wake him before Lijuan finds him and kills him.
236. Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe (336 p.) -- Review. Lexi Jones has come home to Confection, Oregon, to run and possibly buy her parents' bookstore. She's also working on her first book - a crime novel. When her dog Cookie discovers the body of their grumpy next door neighbor, Lexi and her friends need to solve the crime or see Lexi convicted. Gil was a grouchy old man with lots of enemies. Suspects range from his estranged sons to members of the local gardening club. Loved the characters and loved Cookie.
237. Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh (400 p.; 13:21) -- Guild Hunters series #9 sees Elena and Raphael traveling to Morocco to meet with the other archangel's to decide what to do about Lijuan. While Raphael meets, Elena has a personal errand. She wants to try to track down her family. Her mother was orphaned at 5 and has now passed away herself. Elena feels that her ancestors might have come from Morocco. What she learns will change her life forever. Also the order of monks who called the archangels together has some hinky stuff going on that needs to be dealt with.
238. Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt (304 p.) -- Review. Discovering a body buried in snow on a post-Thanksgiving dinner walk isn't a great start to the holiday season for Andy Carpenter. Then his friend newspaper editor Vince asks him to defend Bobby who is being accused of the murder. Bobby was in a car accident and almost died and has no memory of the time of the murder. He admits he hated the victim - Mayor Alex Oliva, but he says he didn't kill him. As evidence piles up against Bobby, Andy and his team are busy trying to find out what really happened. A second death and attempts to kill Bobby and Andy let him know he is getting closer to solving the crime. Great story and great characters.
239. Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh (367 p.; 10:58) -- Holly and Venom's story. Holly was forcibly made by the mad archangel Uram right before Raphael killed him. She is a strange hybrid creature with vampire traits and some archangel traits who is afraid she is going mad only to find out that Uram left a remnant inside her that is trying to take her over. When a bounty is placed on her head, Holly and Venom have to investigate which leads to a confrontation in Michaela's territory. The romance between Holly and Venom goes from flirting to serious in the course of the book. I liked getting to know more about Venom who has been a frequently appearing character in other Guild Hunter books.
240. Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh (400 p.; 11:44) -- Elena is losing her angelic powers. She's getting weaker, her wings are drooping, she's losing feathers. While she, Raphael and the doctors are tying to figure out why, she is also investigating a near-fatal attack on her brother-in-law. She is also dealing with a voice in her head spouting prophecies which are coming true. But the final prophecy is that Elena has to die. Elena isn't going to accept that and neither is Raphael. Meanwhile as a result of the Cascade, strange things are happening like a volcanic sinkhole in an area with no volcanic activity and Favashi is massing an army on the border of China.
232. Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh (385 p.) -- Elena and Raphael have to deal with the effects of a Cascade when all archangels are developing new powers and with a war with an enemy who has started by making angels fall from the sky and vampires die of a pox. They are gathering allies and preparing their forces to protect New York. Elena also provides the anchor to keep Raphael's new powers from leaching all the humanity from him. I love that there relationship is one of equals.
233. Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh (386 p.; 12:13) -- Ashwini and Janvier's romance. She's a hunter and he's a vampire but they worked together when Lijuan tried to take over New York. Before the war they were friendly rivals. They quietly fell in love but Ash is afraid that she will succumb to madness like the females of her family. She doesn't want to be a burden to whoever she loves. Janvier has his work cut out for him convincing her that he wants to be with her no matter what happens. Meanwhile, they are trying to track down a vampire who is draining female victims and leaving them desiccated husks.
234. In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury (304 p.) -- Review. Start of a new cozy series. Widowed tea room owner in a coastal town in Oregon needs to find out who really murdered her assistant Jenna's ex-husband or Jenna will be taking the fall for the crime. Nice characters including a potential love interest for Vivian.
235. Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh (384 p.; 12:25) -- This is Naasir and Andromeda's romance. Naasir is the most unique of Raphael's 7 and is the only one of his kind. Andromeda is a young scholar who will soon be forced to return to her depraved grandfather's court to serve for 500 years. She is afraid that her humanity and sanity won't survive her term of service. The two have to find the Ancient Alexander's sleeping place and wake him before Lijuan finds him and kills him.
236. Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe (336 p.) -- Review. Lexi Jones has come home to Confection, Oregon, to run and possibly buy her parents' bookstore. She's also working on her first book - a crime novel. When her dog Cookie discovers the body of their grumpy next door neighbor, Lexi and her friends need to solve the crime or see Lexi convicted. Gil was a grouchy old man with lots of enemies. Suspects range from his estranged sons to members of the local gardening club. Loved the characters and loved Cookie.
237. Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh (400 p.; 13:21) -- Guild Hunters series #9 sees Elena and Raphael traveling to Morocco to meet with the other archangel's to decide what to do about Lijuan. While Raphael meets, Elena has a personal errand. She wants to try to track down her family. Her mother was orphaned at 5 and has now passed away herself. Elena feels that her ancestors might have come from Morocco. What she learns will change her life forever. Also the order of monks who called the archangels together has some hinky stuff going on that needs to be dealt with.
238. Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt (304 p.) -- Review. Discovering a body buried in snow on a post-Thanksgiving dinner walk isn't a great start to the holiday season for Andy Carpenter. Then his friend newspaper editor Vince asks him to defend Bobby who is being accused of the murder. Bobby was in a car accident and almost died and has no memory of the time of the murder. He admits he hated the victim - Mayor Alex Oliva, but he says he didn't kill him. As evidence piles up against Bobby, Andy and his team are busy trying to find out what really happened. A second death and attempts to kill Bobby and Andy let him know he is getting closer to solving the crime. Great story and great characters.
239. Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh (367 p.; 10:58) -- Holly and Venom's story. Holly was forcibly made by the mad archangel Uram right before Raphael killed him. She is a strange hybrid creature with vampire traits and some archangel traits who is afraid she is going mad only to find out that Uram left a remnant inside her that is trying to take her over. When a bounty is placed on her head, Holly and Venom have to investigate which leads to a confrontation in Michaela's territory. The romance between Holly and Venom goes from flirting to serious in the course of the book. I liked getting to know more about Venom who has been a frequently appearing character in other Guild Hunter books.
240. Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh (400 p.; 11:44) -- Elena is losing her angelic powers. She's getting weaker, her wings are drooping, she's losing feathers. While she, Raphael and the doctors are tying to figure out why, she is also investigating a near-fatal attack on her brother-in-law. She is also dealing with a voice in her head spouting prophecies which are coming true. But the final prophecy is that Elena has to die. Elena isn't going to accept that and neither is Raphael. Meanwhile as a result of the Cascade, strange things are happening like a volcanic sinkhole in an area with no volcanic activity and Favashi is massing an army on the border of China.
14kmartin802
241. Archangel's War by Nalini Singh (480 p.; 15:40) -- Guild Hunter book #12. This one brings the final battle with Lijuan and is mainly a war story. Some tender moments between Raphael and Elena and Elena learns more about Raphael's childhood as she tries to smooth the relationship between him and his mother. There are losses and gains, love and betrayal, and all sorts of action in this one.
242. Archangel's Sun by Nalini Singh (366 p.; 10:59) -- In the aftermath of the archangelic wars, Archangel Titus of Africa has his hands full dealing with the reborn - remnants of one of the defeated archangel's plans - and is sent the Hummingbird to help. The Hummingbird was once shattered in mind and heart but has healed and rebuilt herself and is more than ready to do her part. They fall in love and solve another mystery that could devastate all of angelkind.
243. Mercy Creek by M. E. Browning (288 p.) -- Review. The second Jo Wyatt mystery concerns a missing eleven-year-old girl. Jo knows the parents; they all grew up together in Echo Valley. The story is filled with lying suspects, old resentments, and day-to-day police work. I really liked Jo's determination to find young Lena Flores.
244. Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest (304 p.) -- Review. Psychic travel agent Leda Foley gets involved in a cold case investigation when she saves the life of Detective Grady Merritt when she rebooks his plane ride to keep him off a plane that slides off an runway and catches fire. Grady asks for help in solving a cold case that has baffled him. Leda hopes he'll help her solve the murder of her fiance. Together they investigate, find a link between the two crimes, and find themselves in danger when they stir up the murderer. Great characters and a fast-paced plot.
245. Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett (280 p.; 8:48) -- Widowed Mikki London moves to her hometown and opens up a business as a freelance editor but needs to solve a mystery when her first walk-in client is found murdered. Nice small town setting, great characters, interesting plot.
246. Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis (210 p.) -- First in a Regency Romance series with dragons. Elinor Tregarth is living with her aunt, uncle and cousin after her parents' deaths. She is treated as a poor relation especially by her spoiled cousin Penelope. Dragons are all the fashion but Penelope is cruel to hers. So Elinor steals him away and runs away only to run into Benedict Hawkins and his friend Mr. Aubrey who considers himself an expert on dragons. Benedict's father lost money in the same scheme that cost Elinor's family's financial ruin. So Benedict is looking for an heiress and sets his sights on Penelope. Lots of fun scenes and fun characters.
247. Archangel's Light by Nalini Singh (400 p.) -- Review. Aodhan and Illium's story uses flashbacks to show their growing relationship from the time they were baby angels. We finally find out what happened to Aodhan when he was kidnapped and tortured. We learn about the hidden cracks in Illium. And we see how two strong adults can form a relationship that will endure over their very long lifetimes. Excellent story.
249. Buried in a Bog by Sheila Connolly (303 p.; 7:38) -- Maura Donovan comes to Ireland after her grandmother's death to fulfill her last wish and finds a mystery, a family and a new home.
249. Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron (287 p.; 13:32) -- Julius Heartstriker is the least of his clan and his very terrrifying mother wants him to change. She locks his magic and sends him to the DFZ to make something of himself or die. He finds himself in the middle of various plots between dragon clans and plots between two powerful seers and facing all sorts of magical creatures. He teams up with human mage Marci who is one the run from mobsters with a stolen object one of the seers wants. Julius will have to think fast if he wants to survive and prove that nice dragons don't always finish last.
250. One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron (487 p.; 18:35) -- Estella of the Northern Star has a plan to bring about the future she wants and it is up to Julian to stop her. Meanwhile, Marci is under a death curse if she doesn't produce a dragon for Vann Jeger to defeat as Algonquin's champion in the DFZ. Lots of great worldbuilding, action and excitement in this episode.
242. Archangel's Sun by Nalini Singh (366 p.; 10:59) -- In the aftermath of the archangelic wars, Archangel Titus of Africa has his hands full dealing with the reborn - remnants of one of the defeated archangel's plans - and is sent the Hummingbird to help. The Hummingbird was once shattered in mind and heart but has healed and rebuilt herself and is more than ready to do her part. They fall in love and solve another mystery that could devastate all of angelkind.
243. Mercy Creek by M. E. Browning (288 p.) -- Review. The second Jo Wyatt mystery concerns a missing eleven-year-old girl. Jo knows the parents; they all grew up together in Echo Valley. The story is filled with lying suspects, old resentments, and day-to-day police work. I really liked Jo's determination to find young Lena Flores.
244. Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest (304 p.) -- Review. Psychic travel agent Leda Foley gets involved in a cold case investigation when she saves the life of Detective Grady Merritt when she rebooks his plane ride to keep him off a plane that slides off an runway and catches fire. Grady asks for help in solving a cold case that has baffled him. Leda hopes he'll help her solve the murder of her fiance. Together they investigate, find a link between the two crimes, and find themselves in danger when they stir up the murderer. Great characters and a fast-paced plot.
245. Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett (280 p.; 8:48) -- Widowed Mikki London moves to her hometown and opens up a business as a freelance editor but needs to solve a mystery when her first walk-in client is found murdered. Nice small town setting, great characters, interesting plot.
246. Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis (210 p.) -- First in a Regency Romance series with dragons. Elinor Tregarth is living with her aunt, uncle and cousin after her parents' deaths. She is treated as a poor relation especially by her spoiled cousin Penelope. Dragons are all the fashion but Penelope is cruel to hers. So Elinor steals him away and runs away only to run into Benedict Hawkins and his friend Mr. Aubrey who considers himself an expert on dragons. Benedict's father lost money in the same scheme that cost Elinor's family's financial ruin. So Benedict is looking for an heiress and sets his sights on Penelope. Lots of fun scenes and fun characters.
247. Archangel's Light by Nalini Singh (400 p.) -- Review. Aodhan and Illium's story uses flashbacks to show their growing relationship from the time they were baby angels. We finally find out what happened to Aodhan when he was kidnapped and tortured. We learn about the hidden cracks in Illium. And we see how two strong adults can form a relationship that will endure over their very long lifetimes. Excellent story.
249. Buried in a Bog by Sheila Connolly (303 p.; 7:38) -- Maura Donovan comes to Ireland after her grandmother's death to fulfill her last wish and finds a mystery, a family and a new home.
249. Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron (287 p.; 13:32) -- Julius Heartstriker is the least of his clan and his very terrrifying mother wants him to change. She locks his magic and sends him to the DFZ to make something of himself or die. He finds himself in the middle of various plots between dragon clans and plots between two powerful seers and facing all sorts of magical creatures. He teams up with human mage Marci who is one the run from mobsters with a stolen object one of the seers wants. Julius will have to think fast if he wants to survive and prove that nice dragons don't always finish last.
250. One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron (487 p.; 18:35) -- Estella of the Northern Star has a plan to bring about the future she wants and it is up to Julian to stop her. Meanwhile, Marci is under a death curse if she doesn't produce a dragon for Vann Jeger to defeat as Algonquin's champion in the DFZ. Lots of great worldbuilding, action and excitement in this episode.
15kmartin802
251. No Good Dragons Goes Unpunished by Rachel Aaron (517p.; 18:51) -- After Bethesda's defeat, Julius is trying to form a council but Bethesda isn't going quietly and dragons are suspicious of Julius's plans. Dragon politics, assassination attempts, and surprising allies fill this story. So do Chelsie's secrets. Meanwhile Marci is dealing with issues of her own when Ghost attracts way too much attention from the UN magical divisions. Great worldbuilding. Fascinating characters.
252. A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron (517 p.; 21:26) -- The fourth Heartstrikers story sees Heartstriker Mountain invaded by Chinese dragons, Marci becoming a Merlin, the birth of the DFZ as a Mortal Spirit. It is engaging urban fantasy with great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
253. Saint's Gate by Carla Neggers (331 p.) -- Emma Sharpe is with the FBI working on art crimes. Her family has been art detectives for 60 years. Emma spent a few years as a novice in the Sisters of the Joyful Heart. When one of the sisters calls her about a problem she's having, Emma travels to Maine from Boston to see what the problem is. Sister Joan is murdered before she can confide in Emma. Colin Donovan is also an FBI agent. He specializes in undercover work and is home in Maine after a case. Emma's boss calls him in to watch out for Emma. Together they solve the case and fall in love.
254. Heron's Cove by Carla Neggers (330 p.) -- Colin gets in trouble while undercover and an tip from one of Emma's informants saves him. He comes home to Rock Point, his family, and Emma but fears that his enemies know where he is. Meanwhile, Emma is dealing with a past case from Sharpe Restorations and dealing with a Russian oligarch, found missing and found again Russian art, a London-based Russian jewelry designer, and the daughter of the oligarch's ex-wife who wants to sell the art objects back to the oligarch. Meanwhile Father Bracken is dealing with his first beanhole supper.
255. Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron (319 p.; 13:12) -- Final Heartstrikers book wraps up the series in a very exciting way. Battles are fought, alliances are made, enemies are vanquished, and the dragon gets the girl.
256. Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb (378 p,) -- Eve's next case has to do with the murder of a homeless woman and also the discovery of bones of a woman and fetus discovered walled into the wine cellar of an area Roarke is rehabbing. The connection is that the current murder site is owned by the Singer family and the other site was when the body was dumped 37 years earlier. Lots of police work detailed. Emphasis on Eve's standing for the dead. Less banter and humor than some of the other books.
257. Declan's Cross by Carla Neggers (330 p.) -- Entertaining 3rd book in series. Emma and Colin are in Ireland on a sort of vacation when Rock Point girl Julianne who is running from Colin's brother Andy who broke her heart finds the body of a young woman who invited her to work with her. Emma and Colin join her to support her. Emma wonders if this current murder has anything to do with the theft 10 years earlier that has been plaguing her grandfather. Also introduced are Sean who is sheep farming while waiting to heal from a line of duty injury and Kitty who has refurbed her uncle's home into a boutique hotel.
258. Harbor Island by Carla Neggers (384 p.) -- 4th in the Sharpe and Donovan series has Emma stumbling onto another murder that might be linked to her on-going investigation of a series of art thefts that have spanned ten years. Emma is newly engaged to Colin, a deep cover FBI agent. Also investigating in Ireland are Emma and Colin's boss Yank and Sean Murphy. Father Fin Bracken also gets involved because an old flame from before he entered the priesthood is involved too and would like to rekindle her relationship with him. This one has a large cast of characters who were introduced in earlier books in the series. We also finally find out who the thief is though there is insufficient evidence to convict him of his crimes.
259. Keeper's Reach by Carla Neggers (317 p.) -- Next Sharpe & Donovan focuses on oldest brother Mike who reunites with an old love, Father Finian Bracken who also revisits an old romance and makes a new friend with Oliver York. This one has a whole bunch of plot threads and is nicely twisty.
260. Liar's Key by Carla Neggers (271 p.) -- Colin's searching for honeymoon sites in Ireland; Emma receives a mysterious visit from retired FBI Agent Gordy Wheelock; Lucas is planning an Open House for Sharpe Fine Art Restoration; Oliver York and Wendell Sharpe are plotting. This was a slower paced episode with lots of viewpoints all surrounding the sale of antiquities to fund terrorists. Best for fans of the series.
252. A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron (517 p.; 21:26) -- The fourth Heartstrikers story sees Heartstriker Mountain invaded by Chinese dragons, Marci becoming a Merlin, the birth of the DFZ as a Mortal Spirit. It is engaging urban fantasy with great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
253. Saint's Gate by Carla Neggers (331 p.) -- Emma Sharpe is with the FBI working on art crimes. Her family has been art detectives for 60 years. Emma spent a few years as a novice in the Sisters of the Joyful Heart. When one of the sisters calls her about a problem she's having, Emma travels to Maine from Boston to see what the problem is. Sister Joan is murdered before she can confide in Emma. Colin Donovan is also an FBI agent. He specializes in undercover work and is home in Maine after a case. Emma's boss calls him in to watch out for Emma. Together they solve the case and fall in love.
254. Heron's Cove by Carla Neggers (330 p.) -- Colin gets in trouble while undercover and an tip from one of Emma's informants saves him. He comes home to Rock Point, his family, and Emma but fears that his enemies know where he is. Meanwhile, Emma is dealing with a past case from Sharpe Restorations and dealing with a Russian oligarch, found missing and found again Russian art, a London-based Russian jewelry designer, and the daughter of the oligarch's ex-wife who wants to sell the art objects back to the oligarch. Meanwhile Father Bracken is dealing with his first beanhole supper.
255. Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron (319 p.; 13:12) -- Final Heartstrikers book wraps up the series in a very exciting way. Battles are fought, alliances are made, enemies are vanquished, and the dragon gets the girl.
256. Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb (378 p,) -- Eve's next case has to do with the murder of a homeless woman and also the discovery of bones of a woman and fetus discovered walled into the wine cellar of an area Roarke is rehabbing. The connection is that the current murder site is owned by the Singer family and the other site was when the body was dumped 37 years earlier. Lots of police work detailed. Emphasis on Eve's standing for the dead. Less banter and humor than some of the other books.
257. Declan's Cross by Carla Neggers (330 p.) -- Entertaining 3rd book in series. Emma and Colin are in Ireland on a sort of vacation when Rock Point girl Julianne who is running from Colin's brother Andy who broke her heart finds the body of a young woman who invited her to work with her. Emma and Colin join her to support her. Emma wonders if this current murder has anything to do with the theft 10 years earlier that has been plaguing her grandfather. Also introduced are Sean who is sheep farming while waiting to heal from a line of duty injury and Kitty who has refurbed her uncle's home into a boutique hotel.
258. Harbor Island by Carla Neggers (384 p.) -- 4th in the Sharpe and Donovan series has Emma stumbling onto another murder that might be linked to her on-going investigation of a series of art thefts that have spanned ten years. Emma is newly engaged to Colin, a deep cover FBI agent. Also investigating in Ireland are Emma and Colin's boss Yank and Sean Murphy. Father Fin Bracken also gets involved because an old flame from before he entered the priesthood is involved too and would like to rekindle her relationship with him. This one has a large cast of characters who were introduced in earlier books in the series. We also finally find out who the thief is though there is insufficient evidence to convict him of his crimes.
259. Keeper's Reach by Carla Neggers (317 p.) -- Next Sharpe & Donovan focuses on oldest brother Mike who reunites with an old love, Father Finian Bracken who also revisits an old romance and makes a new friend with Oliver York. This one has a whole bunch of plot threads and is nicely twisty.
260. Liar's Key by Carla Neggers (271 p.) -- Colin's searching for honeymoon sites in Ireland; Emma receives a mysterious visit from retired FBI Agent Gordy Wheelock; Lucas is planning an Open House for Sharpe Fine Art Restoration; Oliver York and Wendell Sharpe are plotting. This was a slower paced episode with lots of viewpoints all surrounding the sale of antiquities to fund terrorists. Best for fans of the series.
16kmartin802
261. Thief's Mark by Carla Neggers (352 p.) -- Oliver's story as he finds out about his parents' murder and his own kidnapping and falls in love with Henrietta - the gardener, ex-MI5, girl next door.
262. Rock Point by Carla Neggers (53 p.) -- The first Sharpe & Donovan introduces Father Finian Bracken and tells about his loss of wife and family, journey to the priesthood, and freindship with Sean Murphy.
263. Imposter's Lure by Carla Neggers (259 p.) -- A missing prosecutor, a woman with an opioid overdose, her missing husband, possibly forged art and a villain with a twisted plan are the key elements of this episode. Colin and Emma are married and back from their honeymoon in Ireland. Lots of great characters and a twisty plot.
264. Rival's Break by Carla Neggers (255 p.) -- Andy's wedding, food poisoning by mushroom, a missing Aiofe O'Byrne painting, an undercover MI5 agent who might have gone rogue. Great characters and setting.
265. The Liar by Nora Roberts (512 p.; 15:31) -- Shelby heads for home with her 3-year-old daughter Callie when she is widowed and learns that her husband was a liar and thief. He left her with millions in debts and a mystery to solve. He also left her his partners and a PI who think she knows where he stashed the $29 million in jewels and stamps he stole. When she gets home, she is surrounded by the love and support of her family and meets a new man Griff Lott who falls in love with her and her daughter. He is the perfect man but Shelby is afraid to risk her heart again.
266. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (322 p.) -- Avery Grambs - currently living in her car - finds herself the major heir to multi-billionaire Tobias Hawthorne if she consents to live in his house - with his family - for one year. Tobias left disgruntled and disinherited heirs including his 4 grandsons and he also left a number of puzzles for them all to solve. The biggest puzzle for Avery is why this stranger made her his heir. Also, one of the heirs wants her dead. Great characters and great relationships and fascinating puzzles.
267. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (369 p.; 10:24) -- Sequel to THE INHERITANCE GAMES has more puzzles for Avery to solve to figure out why multi-billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left almost his entire $40 billion estate to her. She survives kidnapping and attempted murder as she unravels the clues along with brothers Jameson and Grayson Hawthorne with some assists by youngest brother Xander. Smart relatable characters and an intriguing mystery.
268. Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh (315 p.) -- Bree and Adam find bones on the old family property and start a murder investigation that digs up all kinds of old secrets and old memories. Great characters and fast-paced plot.
269. Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey (361 p.; 13:51) -- Susanne is an Earth Master - taught by Robin Goodfellow himself - and the long neglected daughter of another Earth Master who blames her for her mother's death. Her father turns to necromancy to try to get her mother back and put her is Susanne's body which causes Susanne to flee. Meanwhile rumors of a necromancer have caused Lord Peter Almsley to be sent to Yorkshire to find and neutralize him. And through it all, World War I is beginning in Europe.
270. The Kinsmen Universe by Ilona Andrews (231 p.; 7:15) -- Two novellas and a short story are all paranormal science fiction romances set in the Kinsmen universe.
262. Rock Point by Carla Neggers (53 p.) -- The first Sharpe & Donovan introduces Father Finian Bracken and tells about his loss of wife and family, journey to the priesthood, and freindship with Sean Murphy.
263. Imposter's Lure by Carla Neggers (259 p.) -- A missing prosecutor, a woman with an opioid overdose, her missing husband, possibly forged art and a villain with a twisted plan are the key elements of this episode. Colin and Emma are married and back from their honeymoon in Ireland. Lots of great characters and a twisty plot.
264. Rival's Break by Carla Neggers (255 p.) -- Andy's wedding, food poisoning by mushroom, a missing Aiofe O'Byrne painting, an undercover MI5 agent who might have gone rogue. Great characters and setting.
265. The Liar by Nora Roberts (512 p.; 15:31) -- Shelby heads for home with her 3-year-old daughter Callie when she is widowed and learns that her husband was a liar and thief. He left her with millions in debts and a mystery to solve. He also left her his partners and a PI who think she knows where he stashed the $29 million in jewels and stamps he stole. When she gets home, she is surrounded by the love and support of her family and meets a new man Griff Lott who falls in love with her and her daughter. He is the perfect man but Shelby is afraid to risk her heart again.
266. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (322 p.) -- Avery Grambs - currently living in her car - finds herself the major heir to multi-billionaire Tobias Hawthorne if she consents to live in his house - with his family - for one year. Tobias left disgruntled and disinherited heirs including his 4 grandsons and he also left a number of puzzles for them all to solve. The biggest puzzle for Avery is why this stranger made her his heir. Also, one of the heirs wants her dead. Great characters and great relationships and fascinating puzzles.
267. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (369 p.; 10:24) -- Sequel to THE INHERITANCE GAMES has more puzzles for Avery to solve to figure out why multi-billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left almost his entire $40 billion estate to her. She survives kidnapping and attempted murder as she unravels the clues along with brothers Jameson and Grayson Hawthorne with some assists by youngest brother Xander. Smart relatable characters and an intriguing mystery.
268. Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh (315 p.) -- Bree and Adam find bones on the old family property and start a murder investigation that digs up all kinds of old secrets and old memories. Great characters and fast-paced plot.
269. Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey (361 p.; 13:51) -- Susanne is an Earth Master - taught by Robin Goodfellow himself - and the long neglected daughter of another Earth Master who blames her for her mother's death. Her father turns to necromancy to try to get her mother back and put her is Susanne's body which causes Susanne to flee. Meanwhile rumors of a necromancer have caused Lord Peter Almsley to be sent to Yorkshire to find and neutralize him. And through it all, World War I is beginning in Europe.
270. The Kinsmen Universe by Ilona Andrews (231 p.; 7:15) -- Two novellas and a short story are all paranormal science fiction romances set in the Kinsmen universe.
17kmartin802
271. Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas (368 p.) -- Review. Charlotte and her crew are forced to take a job for Moriarty to check on the welfare of his daughter who is staying at an odd religious cult's headquarters in Cornwall. There they face danger and encounter all kinds of secrets.
272. Guild Boss by Jayne Castle (304 p.) -- Review. Gabriel Jones is the new Guild Boss in Illusion City. Lucy Bell is weather channeler. He rescues her when she is kidnapped, drugged, and left in the underground, but people believe that she wasn't kidnapped; that she drank too much, took drugs, and wandered into the underground on her own. Lots of plot threads and twists and great characters. Otis is the dust bunny who finds Lucy and brings her pizza until Gabriel manages to find her.
273. Home from the Sea by Mercedes Lackey (319 p.; 12:11) -- On her 18th birthday, Welsh fisherman's daughter Mari Prothero learns that she must marry a Selch, have children, and let one of them go to the sea. Mari is an untrained Water Master and demands both a teacher and a choice of suitors before she'll accept the bargain. Meanwhile in London, Nan and Sarah are looking for a job and are sent to Wales when the leader of the Elemental Masters hears rumors of a new Water Master. Wonderful worldbuilding and intriguing characters.
274. Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook (320 p.) -- Review. Haunted Library #5. Carrie is helping her best friend with her wedding and finds herself investigating the death of the bride's cousin's husband who dies at the wedding reception. Also the library ghost wants Carrie to track down her brother who disappeared fifteen years earlier. The mayor wants her to join the Town Council and she's getting pressure to marry her boyfriend Dylan. Lots of characters. Flat writing.
275. Cast in Moonlight by Michelle Sagara (154 p.; 4:37) -- Story tells about Kaylin Neya first coming to the Hawks as a 13-year-old who attempts to assassinate the Hawk Lord and finds herself very useful to the Hawks because of her marks. She becomes the Hawks' mascot and is befriended by Teela and Tain, Clint, and Caitlin.
276. The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey (343 p.) -- Reread. Retelling of Snow White set in 1909 London with half-Indian Dr. Maya Witherspoon as the main character. She is an untrained Earth Master who is facing all kinds of prejudice in her desire to practice medicine and with her mixed heritage. Middle class Water Master Paul Scott is sent to find her. When he does, he decides to teach her to use her magic despite the desires of the Elemental Masters in London who don't want to open up their upper class old-boys network to women and foreigners. Great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
277. The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey (389 p.; 14:32) -- Reread. Retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in an alternate Edwardian England. Marina Roeswood was cursed by her aunt at her christening, taken from her parents, and hidden in the home of Elemental Mages and artists in the hopes of evading the curse. When her parents die in an accident, she is taken from her home and moved to the home of her Aunt Arachne and her son Reggie in hopes of finding a way to reactivate the curse and also claim Marina's fortune. Great worldbuilding and lyrical language.
278. The Return of the Pharaoh by Nicholas Meyer (272 p.) -- Review. Dr. John Watson is in Egypt with his sick wife when he runs into Sherlock Holmes and helps him track down a missing English Duke who is on a treasure hunt looking for a previously undiscovered tomb of a Egyptian pharaoh. Lots of interesting information about the early days of Egyptology. Nice pacing, great characters, and footnotes!
279. Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey (416 p.; 15:18) -- Reread. Retelling of Cinderella set during WWI in the Elemental Masters universe. Eleanor Robinson has spells cast on her by her stepmother that prevent her from leaving her house and force her to work as a servant. She is a nascent Fire Master. Reggie Fenyx is gentry, a pilot, an Air Master. After a plane crash and being buried alive and beset by Earth Elementals, Reggie is sent home with shell shock and a number of physical injuries. He's also suicidal. He has buried his magical powers which is good because it protects him from the spells cast by Eleanor's stepmother who wants him to marry one of her daughters. Eleanor and Reggie meet, become friends, and manage to help each other. Wonderful worldbuilding and great characters.
280. The Wizard of London by Mercedes Lackey (388 p.; 11:40) -- Reread. The Snow Queen retold and set in the world of the Elemental Masters introduces Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White and the Harton School which trains children with Talents. Uncovering fake mediums, almost being killed by something at Number 10 Berkley Square, meeting Robin Goodfellow, and saving David Aldercroft from an evil Elementary Master fill this story with action and magic. Throw in Sarah's parrot Gray and Nan's raven Neville who are guardians for the children too. Great worldbuilding.
272. Guild Boss by Jayne Castle (304 p.) -- Review. Gabriel Jones is the new Guild Boss in Illusion City. Lucy Bell is weather channeler. He rescues her when she is kidnapped, drugged, and left in the underground, but people believe that she wasn't kidnapped; that she drank too much, took drugs, and wandered into the underground on her own. Lots of plot threads and twists and great characters. Otis is the dust bunny who finds Lucy and brings her pizza until Gabriel manages to find her.
273. Home from the Sea by Mercedes Lackey (319 p.; 12:11) -- On her 18th birthday, Welsh fisherman's daughter Mari Prothero learns that she must marry a Selch, have children, and let one of them go to the sea. Mari is an untrained Water Master and demands both a teacher and a choice of suitors before she'll accept the bargain. Meanwhile in London, Nan and Sarah are looking for a job and are sent to Wales when the leader of the Elemental Masters hears rumors of a new Water Master. Wonderful worldbuilding and intriguing characters.
274. Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook (320 p.) -- Review. Haunted Library #5. Carrie is helping her best friend with her wedding and finds herself investigating the death of the bride's cousin's husband who dies at the wedding reception. Also the library ghost wants Carrie to track down her brother who disappeared fifteen years earlier. The mayor wants her to join the Town Council and she's getting pressure to marry her boyfriend Dylan. Lots of characters. Flat writing.
275. Cast in Moonlight by Michelle Sagara (154 p.; 4:37) -- Story tells about Kaylin Neya first coming to the Hawks as a 13-year-old who attempts to assassinate the Hawk Lord and finds herself very useful to the Hawks because of her marks. She becomes the Hawks' mascot and is befriended by Teela and Tain, Clint, and Caitlin.
276. The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey (343 p.) -- Reread. Retelling of Snow White set in 1909 London with half-Indian Dr. Maya Witherspoon as the main character. She is an untrained Earth Master who is facing all kinds of prejudice in her desire to practice medicine and with her mixed heritage. Middle class Water Master Paul Scott is sent to find her. When he does, he decides to teach her to use her magic despite the desires of the Elemental Masters in London who don't want to open up their upper class old-boys network to women and foreigners. Great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.
277. The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey (389 p.; 14:32) -- Reread. Retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in an alternate Edwardian England. Marina Roeswood was cursed by her aunt at her christening, taken from her parents, and hidden in the home of Elemental Mages and artists in the hopes of evading the curse. When her parents die in an accident, she is taken from her home and moved to the home of her Aunt Arachne and her son Reggie in hopes of finding a way to reactivate the curse and also claim Marina's fortune. Great worldbuilding and lyrical language.
278. The Return of the Pharaoh by Nicholas Meyer (272 p.) -- Review. Dr. John Watson is in Egypt with his sick wife when he runs into Sherlock Holmes and helps him track down a missing English Duke who is on a treasure hunt looking for a previously undiscovered tomb of a Egyptian pharaoh. Lots of interesting information about the early days of Egyptology. Nice pacing, great characters, and footnotes!
279. Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey (416 p.; 15:18) -- Reread. Retelling of Cinderella set during WWI in the Elemental Masters universe. Eleanor Robinson has spells cast on her by her stepmother that prevent her from leaving her house and force her to work as a servant. She is a nascent Fire Master. Reggie Fenyx is gentry, a pilot, an Air Master. After a plane crash and being buried alive and beset by Earth Elementals, Reggie is sent home with shell shock and a number of physical injuries. He's also suicidal. He has buried his magical powers which is good because it protects him from the spells cast by Eleanor's stepmother who wants him to marry one of her daughters. Eleanor and Reggie meet, become friends, and manage to help each other. Wonderful worldbuilding and great characters.
280. The Wizard of London by Mercedes Lackey (388 p.; 11:40) -- Reread. The Snow Queen retold and set in the world of the Elemental Masters introduces Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White and the Harton School which trains children with Talents. Uncovering fake mediums, almost being killed by something at Number 10 Berkley Square, meeting Robin Goodfellow, and saving David Aldercroft from an evil Elementary Master fill this story with action and magic. Throw in Sarah's parrot Gray and Nan's raven Neville who are guardians for the children too. Great worldbuilding.
18kmartin802
281. A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey (314 p.; 11:39) -- Reread. Nan and Sarah meet John and Mary Watson who are Earth Masters. They meet Sherlock Holmes, too, who is determined not to believe in magic and psychic stuff. The girls get involved in one of Holmes's cases concerning the missing sister of an operatic diva. Sarah is hired because the diva is being driven mad by ghosts. Sarah falls under the influence of the diva who is wooing her to her service. It is up to the Watsons, Sherlock Holmes, Nan, and their two birds to rescue Sarah.
282. A Scandal in Battersea by Mercedes Lackey (316 p.; 11:40) -- Elemental Masters #12 stars Sherlock Holmes, Nan Killian, Sarah Lyon-White and the Watsons as they try to find out what is happening to young women abducted and returned mindless. Alexandre Harcourt is a magical dabbler who has opened a door to another world and is feeding what's there the young women in return for untold riches - or so he thinks. The story is told partially from his amoral viewpoint. As the forces of good gather to fight the invasion, many characters from earlier stories including the Hartons and Puck make appearances.
282. A Scandal in Battersea by Mercedes Lackey (316 p.; 11:40) -- Elemental Masters #12 stars Sherlock Holmes, Nan Killian, Sarah Lyon-White and the Watsons as they try to find out what is happening to young women abducted and returned mindless. Alexandre Harcourt is a magical dabbler who has opened a door to another world and is feeding what's there the young women in return for untold riches - or so he thinks. The story is told partially from his amoral viewpoint. As the forces of good gather to fight the invasion, many characters from earlier stories including the Hartons and Puck make appearances.
