The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich (with giveaway!)

The amazing Stephanie Evanovich returns with The Sweet Spot, the sizzling story of everyone’s favorite couple from her New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties: hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife Amanda

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late- night punch-line. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

Sound interesting? Need a little more? How about an excerpt...

“Cold Creek Grill.  How may I help you?”  She answered the phone as if her day was right as rain.  She was a business woman, first and foremost.

“I need a reservation for tonight,” a gravelly voice barked into the phone.  The caller was either on a cell phone with a bad connection or had a mouth full of marbles.  

“Of course sir, what time are you looking for?”

“Seven,” he said impatiently and Amanda pictured him running to catch a subway. 

“Let me make sure I have that available,” she told him, trying to buy time while she booted up the computer at the podium a few feet away.  She moved the phone to the other side of her head, forgetting it was a war zone and her hair crackled near her ear.

“Trust me, sweetheart, you have a table available.”

“Sir?” She didn’t know what to be more offended by, his use of the word sweetheart or the underlying threat that she better be able to seat him.  And she determined he was just some arrogant blowhard who was sitting with his feet up on his desk overlooking the water and a fat stogy in his mouth.

“A superstar is having dinner at your restaurant; you don’t want to make him wait.”

“All of our guests at the Cold Creek are VIPs Mr…?”

 “Maybe I should speak to the owner?” he cut her off and she thought she heard more spit squish out of the end of his cigar.

“I am the owner.  My name is Amanda Cole.  To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

“Don’t seat us someplace high traffic like near the front.  He’s not there to be an advertisement.  You’ll get your photo op.”

It sounded so scathing, like she was some sort of a bistro whore looking to make a buck, as if she would be interested in taking a picture with him in the first place.  Supreme Court justices and past presidents dined at the Cold Creek without incident.  “Mr. What-ever-your-name-is, I’m not only concerned for the comfort of our guests, but the safety of my staff.  And we have had some high profile guests in the past.  Several are regulars.”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard that.  That’s why I’m calling.  But lady, you never had anyone this big,” he said with an air of superiority that was nothing short of skin crawling.  At least he had upgraded her to lady. 

If he wasn’t being such a total jack-ass, she might have taken him more seriously.  “Would you like to tell me who he is, so that I might inform security?” she said with overt sarcasm.  He could either take being spoken to in kind, or he would start to ream her out and she would hang up on him and he could dine elsewhere, bad business or not.

There was a pause and she thought he may have hung up on her first.  But then he said, “No.  Better you don’t know till he gets there.  Someone tips off TMZ and the night’s a bust.  And he brings his own security”

“Will they be joining you for dinner?”

His laugh was particularly smarmy.  “They’re not paid to eat.” 

So he wasn’t only rude, he was also a tyrant.  “That’s fine, sir, they can stand guard with mine.”  Only hers were imaginary. She no longer cared if the computer was ready.  It was a Weds, they were rarely fully booked, and this man and his famous guest seemed intent on dining there.  He was probably going to be more aggravation than anything else, even if he was only half as self-important as his representative. “You’re all set, dinner for two at seven.  Would you like to leave me a name or is there a code word or what?”   

There was another pause, and once again Amanda was given the false hope that he may have hung up and saved her from a night of inconvenient distractions at the very least.  But then she heard him on the other end, it sounded like a snort.

“You’re spunky, kid,” he told her.  “Name under Alan Shaw.  I’ll be there at 6:50.  I don’t like to wait either.  And make sure there are good steaks on hand, he’s a meat-eater.”

Purchase your copy of The Sweet Spot at your favorite bookstore or at one of these online retailers:

Buy Ebook:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo  

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Three lucky readers will win a print copy of Big Girl Panties, the book where we first meet Chase and Amanda!
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For more information on the author, check out Stephanie Evanovich online:

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The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer (with Giveaway!)

Five years ago Charlotte Holloway accidentally raised her mother from the dead. Shocked and afraid, her vicar father declared her the devil’s child and banished her from his home. Forced to live on the streets Charlotte reinvented herself in order to survive. Posing as a 13-year-old boy “Charlie” is a valued thief in rag-tag, cutthroat gang of kids.

Nabbed for stealing an apple from a street cart Charlie is thrown in a group jail cell. The men inside decide Charlie is fresh and tender meat, and they want to take a bite. When a stranger tries to defend her he is killed – and Charlie’s necromancy saves her. She and her creation escape the rapists, the cell, and the prison, but incidents like that get talked about. Now Charlie is being hunted…and so is Charlotte.

The Last Necromancer is a riveting novel set in the Victorian era. Archer has constructed a captivating Gaslight plot, layered it with paranormal elements, and filled it with mysterious and interesting characters. Charlie is likable, believable, and sympathetic. Lincoln Fitzroy, head of a secret organization and Charlie’s likely love interest in future novels, is shadowy and secretive – provoking the reader’s curiosity. Seriously. I’ve already pre-ordered book two, Her Majesty’s Necromancer so that I can find out what happens next (and if they will ever kiss!!). 

I loved this book and have already purchased the second title in the series - seriously, it was that good. If you find the review intriguing and want to read more...enter this Giveaway for your very own digital (INTL) or paperback copy (US only)!! Just leave a comment to enter. This contest ends September 7th, the winner announced ont this blog entry by September 9th, and the book will be sent out at the end of the month.

If you just can't wait for the contest's results you can purchase your own copy at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Read more about C.J. Archer, and the sequel, on Goodreads.

Archer, C.J. The Last Necromancer. Amazon Digital Services, 2015. 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

Dallas, but with bourbon instead of oil...

The Bradford family has ruled Kentucky’s upper echelon of society for generations. Their wealth, derived from the family bourbon business, assuring them a high level of comfort and privilege. Their estate, Easterly, is the largest in the state, employing dozens of staff that are always made very aware of the class division between themselves and “the family.” The two should never meet – not on the staircase, not in the driveway, and definitely not in the bedroom.

Two years ago Easterly’s Head Gardner/Horticulturist Lizzie King made the mistake of falling for Lane Baldwine, youngest of the Bradford boys. He already had a wild reputation, but she believed that he loved her. It broke her heart when he left her for his pregnant girlfriend, but she has put her life back together. Now Lane has returned, and his arrival signals the beginning of the end for a dynasty that won’t go down without a fight.

If this sounds like the plot of a soap opera, you’re not far off the mark: you can pretty much call this one Dallas with bourbon instead of oil.  Intertwined around Lane and Lizzie’s romance, and often overpowering it, are the stories of the other Baldwine kids, the state/fate of the distillery and family finances, death, deceit, and fraud. And truly, the intertwined stories are far more interesting than the milquetoast plot and lackluster chemistry between Lizzie and Lane, whose rekindled romance lacks fire. Additionally, elements of the plot are contrived and often outdated, and the “problems” of these rich, spoiled family members are just eye-rollingly unimportant. I simply cannot drum up the sympathy for them that the author seems to be asking me to feel. Then, oddly, around 75% into the novel, it got better. Suddenly things were happening and characters were getting fleshed out. Not the Lizzie and Lane, who never became real to me, but one or two of the secondary characters came to life and made me want to continue reading. And, of course, that’s when the novel ended.

Honestly, though, if you’re a fan of J.R. Ward, give Bourbon Kings a try. Despite all of the above the book is not badly written. It's a realistic fiction from an author better known for paranormal, and these may just be teething problems. And honestly, even though I was just ripping it apart, I’ll probably read the second in the series just to find out more about those secondaries that snagged my interest.

Ward. J.R. The Bourbon Kings. New York: NAL, 2015. 2 stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Review & Giveaway!!

I wasn't at all sure about this book, even though my friends raved about it. They gave me all sorts of great reasons why I should read the book, but one fact kept getting in the way: ventriloquists' dummies. I've had issues with those since a very memorable episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I couldn't imagine how Susan Elizabeth Phillips could put what, to me, was the highlight of creepiness into a contemporary romance. When the opportunity to review the novel came, I gave in to fate and signed up. 

As frequently happens, my friends were right. Annie, our heroine, is a spunky, courageous, warmhearted ventriloquist with a distinctly impish streak. She has a history with our hero, Theo Harp, and it's not a pleasant one - he was her first love and her first heartbreak. But Annie is broke, recovering from pneumonia, and has nowhere to live except the isolated cottage on Peregrine Island off the coast of Maine. For his part, Annie is the last person Theo wants to see. She stirs his blood and his memories, making him relive the best and worst times of his life. As Annie and Theo are thrown together again and again their old chemistry heats up, but can Annie trust the man who once tried to kill her?

Read more about Heroes Are My Weakness on Goodreads, and purchase your copy through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Books-A-Million. While you're online, read about the author, check out her backlist, and follow this Tasty Tour to find out what others thought about this fun and quirky romance. And don't forget to enter the giveaway below!

To celebrate the paperback release of Heroes are My Weakness Avon is hosting a Tour Wide Giveaway for a Surprise Susan Elizabeth Phillips Romance Prize Pack (US Only). The Rafflecopter entry information is below. 

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First to Burn by Anna Richland: A very realistic paranormal romance

Army doctor Theresa Chiesa goes by the book. Always. So when she finds evidence that an elite special forces soldier might be lying about his condition to get free rides on the medevac helicopter, she investigates. What she finds is really hot, really built Wulf Wardsen, a man who makes her want to forget that officers aren’t allowed to fraternize with enlisted men.

Wulf is an immortal viking who avoids doctors who might discover his secret. Until he meets Theresa. She smells of citrus and interests him more than any woman in centuries. Enough to start seriously pursuing a viking relic that could give him back his mortality, and a chance at a normal life. But Wulf’s had hundreds of years to make enemies, and now some of them are striking. Wulf relishes the chance to face them again, he just has to keep Theresa out of the crossfire.

There were several things I really liked about this novel - beyond the excellent writing, plotting, and character development. I really love that Richland’s plot is based on the idea that the primary characters in Beowulf were cursed with immortality, and old rivalries carried down through the centuries. This is the only paranormal element to the novel, and it serves not as the focus of the plot but as a catalyst for the characters and plot development. 

I also really liked Theresa’s character. She’s a truly strong heroine, insisting on participating in Wulf’s dangerous exploits and not only serving in the Army but doing so to make a difference. She can handle a gun, take down mortal enemies, and assist in strategic planning. Her character is tested and tried throughout the novel and comes out stronger. (Sorry about that teaser - I don’t want to give away a major plot point!)

If you’re a fan of military, paranormal, or contemporary, realistic romance, you’ll enjoy this unique, well-written novel. I purchased First to Burn on a whim, but will be going back for book two, Second to Lie - I have to find out what happens!

Richland, Anna. First to Burn. New York: Carina Press, 2014. Four Stars.

Darynda Jones' Eighth Grave After Dark gives readers exactly what they want...until it doesn't

If you haven’t read the Charley Davidson series before, don’t read this review. Instead, go pick up the first book (or audiobook) and get ready to plow through a series at breakneck speed - because you won’t want to stop. But this review has spoilers…so stop now. If you are already a fan, and you’ve read up to book seven, go ahead and read this review (even though you've probably already read book eight).

Whoever wrote the blurb for Eighth Grave After Dark did a much better job of summarizing the plot than I could, so I'll let them tell you what's going on in book eight:

Charley Davidson has enough going on without having to worry about twelve hellhounds hot on her trail. She is, after all, incredibly pregnant and feeling like she could pop at any moment. But, just her luck, twelve deadly beasts from hell have chosen this time to escape onto our plane, and they've made Charley their target. And so she takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. Of course, if hellhounds aren't enough, Charley also has a new case to hold her attention: the decades-old murder of a newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows of the convent.

Add to that the still unsolved murder of her father, the strange behavior of her husband, and Charley's tendency to attract the, shall we say, undead, and she has her hands full…but also tied. While the angry hellhounds can't traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders like evil sentries, so Charley has been forbidden from leaving the sacred grounds. Luckily, she has her loyal team with her, and they're a scrappy bunch who won't let a few thirsty hellhounds deter them.

While the team scours the prophesies, searching for clues on the Twelve, for a way to kill them or at least send them back to hell, Charley just wants answers and is powerless to get them. But the mass of friends they've accrued helps. They convince her even more that everyone in her recent life has somehow been drawn to her, as though they were a part of a bigger picture all along. Their presence is comforting. But the good feelings don't last for long because Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life….

Some characters exhibit growth over the course of a few books, getting wiser, making better decisions, even having realizations about themselves and their co-characters. Charley…not so much. She’s still making REALLY bad, even stupid, decisions and not paying much attention to those around her or asking the right questions. On the plus side, she’s still wise-cracking, sarcastic, and willing to risk her life to help people she’s never even met. As I listened I thought this was just kind of a wrap up to the series, tying up some loose ends and giving readers what they wanted…until I got to the ending, which has a very surprising twist and makes me want to read book nine (which, unfortunately, won’t be published until January 2016). Cheers to Darynda Jones. You always keep me coming back for more. 

Note: Darynda Jones will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Southern Magic Reader's Luncheon on November 7th in Birmingham, Alabama. Tickets are on sale now. This is always an excellent event, and I highly recommend the experience!

Jones, Darynda. Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson Book 8). New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2015. 4 Stars. 

Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden: Review and Giveaway!!

Publisher's Blurb: 
Penelope Weston does not like Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton. He may be the suave and charming heir to an earl, as well as the most handsome man on earth, but she can’t forget how he abandoned a friend in need-nor how he once courted her sister, Abigail. He’s the last man she would ever marry. If only she didn’t feel so attracted to the arrogant scoundrel…

Once upon a time, Benedict thought he and Penelope got along rather well. But, though he needs a wealthy bride to escape his cruel father’s control, spirited Penelope just doesn’t suit his plans for a model marriage -- until a good deed goes awry, and scandalous rumors link his name to Penelope’s. She might not be the quiet, sensible wife he thought he wanted, but she is beautiful…beguiling…and far more passionate than he ever imagined. Can a marriage begun in scandal become a love match, too?

Penelope is another wonderful historical heroine: intelligent, stubborn, and independent. Though she grew up mingling with the aristocracy her father is in trade, tarnishing her appeal to eligible bachelors even as her fortune draws less savory, less authentic, suitors. She has seen true love and wants nothing less for herself. When circumstances force her into marriage with a man she doesn't like (even if he is oh, so sexy) she doesn't whine or complain. Instead she strives to make it a real marriage. 

I really, truly enjoyed this historical romance. I loved Linden's subtle riff on Fifty Shades of Grey (it seems there's an explicitly written series of pamphlets working the ladies of the ton into quite a heated dither!) and appreciated that it's inclusion adds to the plot but isn't the focus. The character's motivations and backstories were believable, and the skillful writing pulled me into the story. This is the third title in the series but can be read as a standalone. 

Continue following the Tasty Reads Tour to see what other reviewers think of this fantastic novel, and add the entire series to your Goodreads list (which is what I will be doing later today). 

Purchase your copy of Love in the Time of Scandal at your favorite online retailer:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo  

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

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Linden, Caroline. Love in the Time of Scandal (Scandalous #3). New York: Avon, 2015. 5 Stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. The giveaway is national and not managed by Fun-Size Reads, nor does Fun-Size Reads have any influence on choosing the winner.

The horny heroine who left me unsatisfied

Riley Jensen and her twin, Rhoan, are half-breeds: a rare combination of werewolf and vampire. Each has inherited different traits from the mix though, giving Rhoan abilities that make him an excellent guardian and bestowing upon Riley traits that make her an excellent…office worker. Both work for Melbourne’s Directorate of Other Races, an organization created as a sort of super-aggressive police force for the supernaturals. Police who are really unconcerned about the law or proving guilt before doling out punishment.

When Riley’s brother goes missing in the middle of a mission Riley is pulled further into the murky world of the Directorate in her efforts to find him. Unfortunately, Rhoan has gone missing during the week leading up to the full moon, when werewolves are vulnerable to amplified mating instincts. Riley must keep her mind on the job and her hormones in check in order to solve this mystery - and rescue her brother. Not easy when a very handsome naked and muddy vampire has shown up on her doorstep.

I read this one on audiobook, and I really enjoyed the reader's Australian accent as she narrated the story. Overall Riley is a decent heroine, and the writing was well done and very readable, but I had major issues with the plot of this novel. 

It's stated that ALL werewolves get horny moonfever, but only Riley seems so affected by it that she cannot function unless someone - anyone - gives her at least one orgasm. No male wolf, including her TWIN brother, seems to have this problem.

When Riley was in a potentially dangerous situation she frequently got out of that dilemma by flashing her breasts or body. Never mind that she supposedly has all the strengths of vampire and werewolf genes, can wrap shadows around herself to disappear, can control the minds of others, and has a quick, intelligent mind. Nope. The only thing that can save her is her boobs.

Plot points and devices seemed to be afterthoughts thrown in mid-story to get out of a corner the author has written herself into. For example, we learn halfway through that Riley has infrared vision ability due to her vampire heritage. She uses this to read heat signatures and find out how many humans and supernaturals are in another room, and exactly where they are, before she enters. Yet in the first scene of the novel she has to ask a full-blooded vamp how many hostages were in a vamp-ridden bar? Why rely on the word of a vamp she hated when she could check for herself?

Riley, despite the aforementioned abilities, had to rescued more than once. I repeat, this super strong, super intelligent female needed big, strong men to rescue her. Multiple times. Because reasons. And horny moonfever.

This diatribe makes it sound as if I hated Full Moon Rising, and I really didn’t. I was, however, very disappointed in the author’s portrayal of a “heroine.” It was the author’s debut novel, so I will read the second in the series, Kissing Sin, to see if the heroine lives up to her potential. 

Arthur, Keri. Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen Guardian Book 1). New York: Dell, 2006. Audiobook. 2.5 stars. 

Uprooted by Naomi Novik: A folktale for adults

The Dragon, a powerful and fearsome wizard, protects the valley from the evil, encroaching Wood and the deadly creatures that inhabit it. As payment for this protection The Dragon chooses one girl every decade and takes her back to his tower. No one knows what happens at the tower, but after ten years the girl is returned, alive…but irrevocably changed. 

Kasia has been groomed all her life to be the next chosen. She is beautiful, graceful, and well-mannered; everything her best friend Agnieska is not. Agnieska loves her home, despite the ever-present malevolence of the Wood that borders her village. Clumsy, awkward, and stubborn, she too knows Kasia will be chosen, and already mourns the loss of her only friend.

When the choosing day arrives and The Dragon paces down the line of waiting girls it is Agnieska that causes him to pause. It is Agnieska that The Dragon, grudgingly, takes. Whether she wants to or not, Agnieska is about to find out what happens in that tower.

I have so many feels for this book that it is actually difficult to review. For me, Uprooted turned back time to my childhood, when I devoured fairy stories and folktales. It is as if Novik channeled the Grimm brothers and Andrew Lang as she was writing, creating a wonderfully faceted folktale for adults that is so reminiscent of those childhood stories that I had to research to find out if it was, indeed, a retelling of a traditional story (it isn't). This is no child’s book, however. It’s darker. And better. And it should be at the top of your to-read list.

Uprooted. Novik, Naomi. New York: Random House Publishing, 2015. Publication Date: May 19, 2015. 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

Review of Maplecroft by Cherie Priest, or, Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave Cthulu 40 whacks...

Infamous Lizzie Borden and her sister, Emma, live an odd life in Fall River, Massachusetts. Though Lizzie was acquitted of the murder of their father and stepmother the verdict was not the end of the sisters’ troubles. Mrs. Borden’s sea glass necklace still whispers from the depths of the pit under the cellar, and strange predatory creatures, perhaps drawn by the sea glass’ hypnotic call, come to Maplecroft in the night. As they are the only ones aware of the deadly creatures invading the town of Fall River Lizzie cannot, in good conscience, leave the area unprotected. She spends most of her time researching ways to destroy the things. Her experiments, trials, and tests have all failed. So far, the only success she’s had is hacking them to pieces with her axe. And still more come tapping, slapping, at the walls of Maplecroft, looking for a way in.

Meanwhile Emma, a frail woman stricken with consumption, does her own research on marine biology. She picks up samples from the beach and studies them, writing articles for prominent journals and corresponding with biologists and professors under the pseudonym E.A. Jackson. She sends a particularly interesting, and odiferous, sample to biology professor Phillip Zollicoffer at Miskatonic University, a frequent correspondent.

Professor Zollicoffer, despite Emma’s warning about the sticky smell that accompanies her find, examines the sample without gloves or protective clothing. He is immediately fascinated by what it could be. He feels compelled to “take care” of it, entranced by it’s tentacular, slimy beauty and immune to it’s horrid stench. He names the creature Physalis Zollicoffris and quickly succumbs to her allure, following her instructions and catering to her desires. 

And as Zollicoffer begins his descent into madness Fall River experiences a wave of violence and illness, and the creatures multiply. 

This novel was incredibly creepy and very well written. The basic facets of Lizzie Borden’s historical record are expanded with fiction and interlaced with Lovecraft’s peculiar mythos and creatures. This weirdly wonderful blending of history and horror is told gradually in journal entries and letters by several characters, each delivering their perspective on the story, enriching the narrative and creating a sense of intimacy for the reader. The deliberate pacing and gothic tone of the novel create a feeling of unease in the back of the mind that grows as the novel progresses. I highly recommend this shiver-inducing novel.

Priest, Cherie. Maplecroft (The Borden Dispatches Series, Book 1). New York: ROC, 2015. 5 stars. 

Pirate's Alley by Suzanne Johnson: Review and interview!!

I was lucky enough to get an advance readers copy of this book and...OMG!!!

Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought things might settle down, at least a little bit. No such luck, since New Orleans post-Katrina is still full of the preternatural, and they really don't get along. The major factions, the elves, the vampires, and the fae, are trying to create a council that will rule the city together. If they can't make this work, it could mean war.

Meanwhile DJ is assigned a simple guard/spy duty. Unfortunately her "client" is the sexy pirate Jean Lafitte, who has just returned from his latest "death" with vengeance foremost in his mind. He's sneaky and doesn't play fair, and he has the council - and DJ - very worried.

As if this weren't enough, New Orleans is experiencing some very unusual weather - it's freezing, snowing, sleeting, etc. Eugenie, DJ's best friend, also has an unusual condition to report - and this one will test loyalties. While DJ is on the side of what's best for her friend, her shifter boyfriend, Alex, is firmly on the side of duty. For him everything is black and white, no matter the consequences for the people involved.

This installment of Sentinels of New Orleans was absolutely amazing. I loved getting sucked back into DJ's world even as the suspense almost killed me. I stayed up late reading, totally unaware of the time, because I just had to see what happened next. And the ending...WOW! I cannot wait to read book five! (Seriously. I'll be stalking the author's blog for teasers and hints.)

Johnson, Suzanne. Pirate's Alley (Sentinels of New Orleans Book 4). New York: Tor Books, 2015. Publication Date: April 21, 2015. 5 stars. 

Speaking of the author, I asked Suzanne Johnson five questions. Her absolutely honest answers may surprise you...

What song makes you dance no matter where you are? 

It varies according to what I’ve been listening to the most. Lately, it’s “Embarque ma Belle” by Kaïn, a Canadian band. The song’s about ten years old, but even if you don’t understand the lyrics, I defy you not to at least dance in your chair ☺.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show? 

Er...um...sigh. “General Hospital.” I DVR it. Don’t judge. How long is it gonna take for poor Jason to regain his memory? And Elizabeth’s toddler, Aidan, has been napping upstairs for over a year!

What is your writing process? Do you outline and block out scenes, write the whole thing chronologically, or piece it together? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I don’t plot down to the color of the draperies, but I do map out every scene before I start writing it and know the beginning, ending, and major turning points and relationships in the book before I start. I spend about 2-3 weeks plotting before I start writing, then go straight from beginning to end.

Are you a collector? What do you collect? What would you collect if money and space were no option?

I’m a fickle collector. I collect obsessively, then get swayed by another shiny thing to collect and abandon the previous one. I’ve collected and sold collections of dolls, colonial blue thumbprint Fenton glass, and Early American Pattern Glass. Currently, I seem to be obsessively collecting art supplies. 

What traits have you picked up from your parents? 

I am a leg-jiggler, like my dad was. The creative streak comes from my mom, and, like her, I dabble in art. I come by stubborn honestly, from both of them.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop: Killing me with the tension

Multiple plotlines are skillfully juggled in this urban fantasy novel. To go into them all would take several pages (and would be incomprehensible to those who haven’t read the previous books). I will tease you a little, though, and tell you that Meg is becoming more and more important to the Others. Not because of her prophecies, but because she may be a trailblazer for her sisters. Meanwhile, across Thasia and in Toland, Nicholas Scratch continues to stir up the Humans First and Last (HLF) movement, inciting riots, rebellion, and working with politicians to move against the Others. What the HLF movement doesn’t realize is that the Others who interact with humans are the tip of the iceberg, and the more benevolent, and human-tolerant, of their species.

The Elders watch. Humans only live on the continent by permission and contract with the Others, and it may be time to remind them of that. Again.

Vision in Silver is the third book in The Others series, which should really be read in order. Over the course of these three novels Bishop has skillfully built up the tension and plotlines, interweaving the stories and characters tighter and tighter. A quick Goodreads glance shows at least two more titles planned in the series, and I have no idea what mayhem Bishop has planned for the characters I’ve come to love, but I know I absolutely have to find out. The wait is going to be torture. 

Check out my review of Written in Red, the first book in The Others series!

Bishop, Anne. Vision in Silver. New York: ROC, 2015. 4.5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

Looking for Trouble by Victoria Dahl: Revealing the true nature of librarians

Victoria Dahl was the keynote speaker at a past Southern Magic Reader’s Luncheon, and I loved her sense of humor. I kept meaning to read one of her many contemporary romance novels, but just never got around to it. Then I started following her on Twitter, where she made me laugh on a daily basis (and was so NSFW that I had to read her on my phone instead of my work computer, just in case someone came in and looked over my shoulder). A couple of weeks ago her Twitter feed blew up with the news that Looking For Trouble was on sale. I ignored them until I read one mentioning that the main character was a librarian. A naughty librarian. SOLD!

Small-town librarian Sophie is chaste, sweet, and mild-mannered…at least in public. Her soul yearns to be wild and reckless, however, so a few times a year she picks out a tourist and has a one-night fling. Alex, the dangerous, tattooed biker she’s just met, is exactly the wrong man for her plans. Sophie can’t resist their chemistry though, and one night turns into two, then three, of the hottest sex Sophie’s ever had. But the intertwined ghosts of their pasts refuse to stay buried, and old scandal turns into new gossip, all of which threatens to ruin whatever is building between Sophie and Alex. It’s a good thing Alex will be leaving town for good in a few days….isn’t it?

As a lifelong librarian with a wild side that occasionally comes out to play, I loved this novel, and could completely relate to Sophie’s yearning to break out of the mold she’s cast for herself. And the sex scenes…whew! THE SEX SCENES!! *fans self just thinking about them* 

I devoured Looking For Trouble in under 48 hours - just in time for the release of the second title in the series. If you’re looking for hot sex, great characters, and a very readable story, this is the book for you. Just take my advice and set aside a chunk of time, ‘cause you won’t want to put it down.

Note: The second book in the Jackson: Girls' Night Out series, Flirting with Disaster, is just as good. I am amazed by Dahl's talent. FwD has elements of suspense, strong females, well-developed secondary characters, and downright amazing sex scenes. What else could I ask for...other than book three?!?!

Dahl, Victoria. Looking For Trouble. New York: Harlequin HQN, 2014. 4 stars. 

The universal stories of knitters

I’ve started a fourth book club (I know, I need help). This one is for knitters and other crafty people. Fortunately our first book, Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting edited by Ann Hood, is one that I’d been meaning to read for a while, so it’s a win-win.

Ann Hood started knitting in 2002 during a time of grief, and the soothing sounds and motions calmed her mind and eased her sorrow. Talking to other knitters she discovered this was a common theme: “knitting helped them through all kinds of things that life throws in our path: divorce, depression, deaths; chemotherapy, loneliness, despair.” She also heard stories of knitting joys. And as she attended professional conferences and events, she heard the knitting stories of fellow writers.

The collection of essays she has gathered could have been written by any group of knitters. The stories explore all of the reasons we knit: as meditation, to become closer to a loved one, for the feeling of accomplishment, to ease our anxiety, and to just make something pretty. While the writers are telling their own stories, they are also telling ours. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and found most of the essays very readable, identifying with the knitters in several of the stories. I particularly enjoyed High-Strung Knitter, by Elissa Schappell, in which a woman with high blood pressure takes up knitting as meditation, only to find another compulsive habit. That essay and Elinor Lipman’s poem I bought this pattern book last spring truly describe both my need to knit and my yarn stash compulsion. It’s nice to know these are shared experiences.  

I did completely skip two of the essays - Barbara Kingsolver’s pretentious writing style put me off on the first page and the whiny/anxious tone/concept of non-knitter Elizabeth Searle’s essay was very off-putting in general. I also didn’t think the added knitting patterns were necessary, especially since they did not include finished object photos. I don’t have the ability to read a pattern and visualize the end result, so I wasn’t even tempted by them.  

Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting edited by Ann Hood. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. Four Stars.

Pure fantasy (for adult readers)

Aenor, warrior and dragonrider, has been sent across the border into Huria to ask for the Maester’s help. The crown prince is the victim of an assassination attempt and while his body lives his spirit is wandering the Darkland. Only the Maester, an ageless healer and magician, has the skill and strength to go into the Darkland and bring the prince’s spirit back. 

But the Maester refuses to help. He cannot cross into the kingdom of Norwall because of an ancient feud with the Abida, another ageless magician and the Maester’s sworn enemy. With only seven days before the prince’s spirit is forever lost, Aenor has no choice. She kidnaps the Maester and starts the journey home.

The journey, on the back of Aenor’s bonded dragon Eld, should have been simple and quick. Instead they must face air battles, black mages, and a trek overland through barren enemy territory. To cap it off, Aenor’s onset begins early, causing the release of her mating pheromones and making it difficult for her and the Maester to keep their minds on their quest. 

The Sword & the Spellcaster is the first pure fantasy novel I’ve read in a while, and it reminded me why I love the genre. The tale is an action-filled epic quest with mythical beasts and powerful magic. The world building was excellent, and Wyn’s plot development pulled me in immediately. The characters of Aenor and Marius, the Maester, were well developed and interesting from their first appearances. The writing style, though overly enthusiastic with commas, was readable and engaging. 

Note: The novel describes itself as an erotic romance. While there are three or four very descriptive sex scenes, I wouldn’t call this erotic fiction.

Wyn, Annabelle. The Sword & the Spellcaster: An Erotic Romance Novel. Amazon Digital Services, Inc.: 2014. 4 Stars.

History's scandals

I love history. Not textbook history, but the seedy underbelly of history that my teachers never talked about. That’s the interesting stuff. When I find a book that promises to give me historical gossip and scandals I just can’t resist.

History Decoded held the promise of being just such a book. The author chose ten things conspiracy theorists love to talk about and tried very hard to find the facts, sometimes debunking the conspiracy theories and sometimes admitting that he just didn’t know. Overall I enjoyed the book. It was very readable (listen-able), the topics were interesting and obviously well-researched, and I learned things about history that I didn’t know. For instance:

da Vinci’s design for the ornothopter flying device was the inspiration for Batman’s cape in the original 1930’s comics.

The vault at Fort Knox, which may or may not still contain gold, once held the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and medical pharmaceuticals.

However, I also had issues with the reader’s voice, the conversational, casual writing style, and the catchphrases that were repeated over and over and drove me bananas. In order to look up some of the snippets I had heard I found the print copy of this book at my library. It surprised me. Each chapter (conspiracy theory) is accompanied by an envelope (bound into the seam) of completely needless pieces of paper. These pages of document reproductions were difficult to get in and out of the envelope and, for me, added nothing to the book.

If you enjoy history, scandal, gossip, and knowing secrets, you’ll like this book. I recommend reading it over listening to it, though. And just ignore the envelopes.

In case you were wondering, here are the ten conspiracies included:

John Wilkes Booth’s life after the Lincoln assassination

Stolen Confederate gold

Who built the Georgia guidestones and why?

DB Cooper

The White House cornerstone disappearance

The Spear of Destiny’s real history and possible location

Was da Vinci psychic?

Is Fort Knox empty?

The government cover up of UFO visits

The Kennedy Assassination

Meltzer, Brad with Keith Ferrell. History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time. New York: Workman Publishing Group, 2013. (read by Scott Brick)