Audiobook Review: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

Series: Charley Davidson #11
Unabridged Audiobook
Narrator: Lorelei King
9 hrs. 18 min.
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: 1/24/17
Source: Library

Series narrator Lorelei King returns to narrate Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, the latest installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times bestselling paranormal series.
My entire life can be summed up in one sentence: 

"Well, that didn't go as planned."--T-Shirt 

A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, errant wives, missing people, philandering business owners, and, oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. 

Now, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, will Charley be able to defeat the ultimate evil and find a way to have her happily ever after after all?

My thoughts:

Ah, another good addition to the series. It brought me everything I was looking for... humor, adventure, more Reyes. Charley has been learning more about herself and I think this addition to the series is where she learns more about her gifts as well as exactly why she has them. We still have more information to procure, but this one seems to be on a faster track than the other editions in this area. We also get the usual ghosties that need help and an adventure with Ubie which really brought out the caring in his character. Reyes is still a bit too closed up but I think it may come with good reason. 

...and then just as I was enjoying myself wondering where the next shoe would drop... it dropped. It dropped hard and then just ended. I knew there was going to be a cliff hanger, but honestly this one worries me more than the other cliffies. With the others, I just wanted to know how it would happen but this one may be a bigger problem than the others. I cannot say, but I will say it was a shoe the old woman could move into and live comfortably with all her kids. Wait... why am I talking shoes? Oh yea, it's a Charley thing. 😏

Seriously though... one note to the author about that cliffie... Darynda, I need you to go to your room and think about what you have done. Also, gimme the next book. :D Oh and Lorelei don't think you are getting off easy either. You have brought such life to these characters with your narration I need you to go to your room as well and think about how much this has affected all of us readers/listeners. 

Yea, you can say I'm addicted to this series and love it so much I'm willing to send people to their room for making me worry. If you have not started this series you so need to get on that. I also have a suggestion. Try the audiobook. Even if you don't usually like audiobooks, this one really brings it to life and it may change your mind.

And since it is Wishlist Wednesday... I nominate

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

Published: 10/31/17

Audiobook shortly after...

I don't want to publish the blurb right now since it may contain a spoiler I didn't want to share in the review. 😊  Still... grabby hands! 😁

Follow Me down by Sherri Smith

Standalone Thriller
352 p.
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 3/28/17
Source: From publisher for review

Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumors of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect. 

All the while, she wonders, if he’s innocent, why did he run? 

As Mia reevaluates their difficult, shared history and launches her own investigation into the grisly murder, she uncovers secrets that could exonerate Lucas—or seal his fate. In a small town where everyone’s history is intertwined, Mia will be forced to confront her own demons, placing her right in the killer’s crosshairs.

My thoughts:

I have to admit I didn't like Mia for half of the book. I didn't connect to her and she kept making stupid mistakes. Then she had to complicate those mistakes with prescription drug abuse. I just kept wondering why she was making it harder for her brother to exonerate himself if he was innocent. If he was guilty, she seemed to be throwing away the key to any sort of fair trial. It was frustrating.

Then the middle of the book happened and I just became swept up into the thriller aspect of the book. I really became interested and invested in the outcome. I wanted to know who killed this girl and why so many things happened. Parts were still disconnected for me, but it no longer mattered... I had to know who done it.

There were several twists and turns in the book and things became clearer despite Mia's bungling. It also became more harrowing and while I did fall for the red herrings, I did suspect that the true culprit had something to do with the murder. It was an interesting ride.

I give this book 3 stars. If you stick with this one (and not everyone who reviewed it felt the same as I did about the beginning), there is a good payoff in the end. I am curious about this author now and I would read another thriller by her.

💊

Audiobook Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Series: The Others #2
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
14 hrs. 13 min.
Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: 3/4/14
Source: Library

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

My thoughts:

In some ways I had a hard time getting through this story. It wasn't the story's fault at all, but I kept hearing "Humans First" group causing the feel of racism and prejudice and I couldn't help see the parallels in today's world problems. However, it is also quite different and that is what pulled me through the story and had me fading from the problems of the world a bit.

There was also a horrifying aspect of the Cassandra Sangue in how they were treated and how they were used. This brought a source of tension and realization of what Meg survived and what she was able to accomplish. It also makes Meg and her kind a sort of bridge between the humans and the Others but also outside of it all. I really like how Meg manages to hold that delicate line which would only be possible with an accepting group. This also means that Simon and the Lakeside Courtyard unique because of their acceptance. We see in this book how that isn't so easily accomplished, but it is possible.

Alexandria Harris is the narrator for the series and I really enjoyed her version of all the characters in the book. She really helps put you into the world and I also loved her wolfish and crow vocalizations. She makes this series fun. I do hope you at least try one book on audio in this series.

I give this book 4 stars. It is another good book in Meg's journey and it also does a good job at foreshadowing not only a possible romance but also what Meg may be up against in the future. I highly recommend this series and I do suggest to read them in order.

🐦

The Awakening by Amanda Stevens

Series: Graveyard Queen #6
416 p.
Publisher: Mira
Published: 3/28/17
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Shush…lest she awaken…

My name is Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer who lives with the dead. An anonymous donor has hired me to restore Woodbine Cemetery, a place where the rich and powerful bury their secrets. Forty years ago, a child disappeared without a trace and now her ghost has awakened, demanding that I find out the truth about her death. Only I know that she was murdered. Only I can bring her killer to justice. But the clues that I follow—a haunting melody and an unnamed baby's grave—lead me to a series of disturbing suspects.

For generations, The Devlins have been members of Charleston's elite. John Devlin once turned his back on the traditions and expectations that came with his birthright, but now he has seemingly accepted his rightful place. His family's secrets make him a questionable ally. When my investigation brings me to the gates of his family's palatial home, I have to wonder if he is about to become my mortal enemy.

My thoughts:

The last book! I'm happy and sad about that. I've loved this series so much (if you haven't read it before, you SO need to read it) so I'm sad to see it go. I'm happy because I know I'm going to get most of my questions answered. I also know I'm going to get an adventure getting there.

I was not wrong! I really loved this book and this is a series I know I will read again one day. The atmosphere was like the others and it kept me engaged and unwilling to put the book down. I got most of my answers especially the big one about John. I'm not going to tell you if it was good or bad, but it was an answer! Unfortunately, I did end up having a couple of questions that I had specific to this book I wanted answered and one small disappointment in the end. I cannot say what those were without spoiling the book, but they were minor in the whole of the story and really just made me wishing it was a longer book. To be honest, I'd probably wish that anyway. I will say that the last line was perfect.

I give this book 4 stars. I know that some people avoided this series because it is scary. I'm a total wimp when it comes to horror and I will admit this one is scary in parts (do not read at night especially when a neighborhood cat makes noise outside your window when you are reading about scary noises in the book... *cough* just sayin'... not that I jumped or anything... LOL) but it is the characters and the mystery that will hold your hand through those parts and compel you to continue with the story. So, try it! If you have, then I have no doubt you are right with me and are so sad to see this one go and anxious to see what else this author comes up with for us in the future.

👻

The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky

MANHATTAN HAS MANY SECRETS.SOME ARE OLDER THAN THE CITY ITSELF. 

Manhattan. 

The city sleeps. Selene DiSilva walks her dog along the banks of the Hudson. She is alone-just the way she likes it. She doesn't believe in friends, and she doesn't speak to her family. Most of them are simply too dangerous. 

Murders. 

In the predawn calm, Selene finds the body of a young woman washed ashore, gruesomely mutilated and wreathed in laurel. Her ancient rage returns. And so does the memory of a promise she made long ago. To protect the innocent-and to punish those who stand in her way. 

Gods. 

With the NYPD out of its depth, Selene vows to hunt the killer on her own. But when classics professor Theo Schultz decodes the ancient myth behind the crime, the solitary Huntress finds herself working with a man who's her opposite in every way. Together, they face a long-forgotten cult that lies behind a string of murders, and they'll need help from the one source Selene distrusts most of all: the city's other Immortals.

My thoughts:

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one but they already had me at Greek gods. :) In this one the gods have been diminished by the lack of believers and worshipers. They are born out of human's imagination and mythos but are now becoming human, losing their immortality. Some are panicked at not just dying but at losing their godhood and powers. Some are still powerful depending on how the worship has changed. I really thought this world was interesting.

It isn't just the worldbuilding that was good here. There was also a serial killer that Selene (Artemis) has heard the call to avenge. She has made that her life's work until she fades, she still protects the innocent. She is also haunted by a wrong that she committed under the falsehood of her brother and twin, Paul (Apollo). This action not only blinds her to certain aspects of the killer but also plays a huge role in her wanting love but not believing in it. AND with all this the ritual sacrifices within the serial killings are also making her stronger and closer to what she had as a god. This is all confusing but all eventually leads to who could be the serial killer. Oh, and let me mention this... it works.

I'd have to say my biggest criticism would be that there were parts that lagged. All of it was interesting but some might not enjoy the slower bits and some might like how it keeps you in the world. I think it all depends on the reader. Despite this, there were a couple of big twists that kept me guessing and I didn't guess who it was until the end. She did a good job on the mystery aspect of this book.

I give this book 4 stars. I really recommend it to those who enjoy mythology retellings and a good mystery/thriller.

Lost Girls by Merrie Destefano

Standalone
360 p.
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Published: 1/3/17
Source: NetGalley and Entangled for review
Amazon: http://bit.ly/LostGirls_MD
B&N: http://bit.ly/LG_MerrieDestefano

(from the publisher links above)

Yesterday, Rachel went to sleep listening to Taylor Swift, curled up in her grammy’s quilt, worrying about geometry. Today, she woke up in a ditch, bloodied, bruised, and missing a year of her life.

She doesn’t recognize the person she’s become: she’s popular. She wears nothing but black.

Black to cover the blood.
And she can fight.
Tell no one. 

She’s not the only girl to go missing within the last year…but she’s the only girl to come back. She desperately wants to unravel what happened to her, to try and recover the rest of the Lost Girls.

But the more she discovers, the more her memories return. And as much as her new life scares her, it calls to her. Seductively. The good girl gone bad, sex, drugs, and raves, and something darker…something she still craves—the rush of the fight, the thrill of the win—something she can’t resist, that might still get her killed…
The only rule is: There are no rules.

My thoughts:

If you don't know already, I don't often read YA contemporary, but I've read his author before and I enjoy her work plus this sounded intriguing. I was not wrong. In fact, I was captivated from the beginning and I could not wait to see how this played out. I also think that this book will go down as one of my favorite contemporary thriller YA books.

The story plays out and you are just as confused as Rachel waking up and trying to piece together why a year has totally gone missing. She was only gone for 2 weeks and a lot had changed within that year. New friends, a new look and a mysterious ability. Bits of information make it's way to Rachel and it is perfectly paced to relay a sense of foreboding and danger. I'm not sure I want to give away more than that. Don't want to spoil anything.

I will say that while I enjoyed the ending, it was probably the weakest part of the story. The reason is that it felt like it was very quickly wrapped up but then again, I'm not sure how it would be made better. Considering how strong the rest of the book felt to me, this was not a big problem. The ending also made me love the secondary characters more so you see how it really wasn't too weak it probably just felt that way in comparison to the rest of the book.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this book and if you enjoy thrillers of all kinds, I do highly recommend this book.

Audiobook Review: The Curse of the Tenth Grave by Darynda Jones

Narrator: Lorelei King
Series: Charley Davidson #10
10 hrs. 40 min.
Unabridged
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: 6/28/16
Source: Library

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension. 

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers? 

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well…

My thoughts:

Finally got to this one! I wasn't disappointed either. :D I did become worried about Reyes when a lot of people who had read/listened to this one before me was complaining about him being less that forthcoming. I didn't want a stupid misunderstanding to get in the way of this couple (that is usually how it goes). Luckily my fears were unfounded. While there was miscommunication, it was cleared for our couple and for the reader.

Oh so much was clarified! We got to know more details about what is going on and yet there are still more mysteries to be had. I think what I really loved about this one is how much more confident Charley feels to me. She is still learning what she is and who she is because of it, but she really is accepting of those parts as they come and is learning to use her powers. I think I really like this Charley. I cannot wait to see what comes next and I cannot wait to get to know Beep. I have a feeling she will be more than a handful to both parents. :)

I also swear that if Lorelei King stops narrating this series, I might have to read them instead of listening to them. I don't say that often, but she is the voice of Charley and does such an excellent job of the other characters. I think it would be too jarring for me to hear anyone else narrate it. If you haven't tried this one on audio, do try it. I think you'll love it. Might also be the series to get you into audiobooks. :D

I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to those that love UF and snarky humor.

Poison or Protect by Gail Carriger

Series: Delightfully Deadly #1
147 p.
Publisher: Indie
Published: 6/21/16
Source: tbr pile

Can one gentle Highland soldier woo Victorian London’s most scandalous lady assassin, or will they both be destroyed in the attempt?

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a stand-alone romance novella set in her popular steampunk universe full of manners, spies, and dainty sandwiches.

Lady Preshea Villentia, the Mourning Star, has four dead husbands and a nasty reputation. Fortunately, she looks fabulous in black. What society doesn’t know is that all her husbands were marked for death by Preshea’s employer. And Preshea has one final assignment.

It was supposed to be easy, a house party with minimal bloodshed. Preshea hadn’t anticipated Captain Gavin Ruthven – massive, Scottish, quietly irresistible, and… working for the enemy. In a battle of wits, Preshea may risk her own heart – a terrifying prospect, as she never knew she had one.

Buy Poison or Protect today to find out whether it’s heartbreak or haggis at this high tea.  

Warning: Contains men pleasing women, and ladies who know what they want and ask for it, sometimes in detail. May also contain plaid, appearances from favorite characters, and the strategic application of leather gloves.

My thoughts:

I love this world even though I have yet to read the Parasol Protectorate adult series, however I have read the Finishing School series which I loved. This novella set in the same world and is the first in a series of novellas. You can read it without reading any of the other series but this book is set in the time between the FS series and the PP series.

The story is a novella but it is a complete story. Preshea was not the easiest person to like when we first met her in the Finishing School series but she is a full adult now and with several dead husbands in her wake which leads to a rather unflattering (but acceptable in her line of work) moniker, the Mourning Star. She is hired out to both stop a betrothal (without killing someone) and protect an important Earl who is important to the paranormal community in secret. However, Preshea doesn't count on Gavin to be either her equal or distraction. Luckily they are on the same side.

As this is a novella, the romance is quick and hot. However, it didn't bother me that they fell for each other so quickly. The way the author handled the romance was believable enough and it enhanced the storyline and mystery surrounding our couple. They are well matched and what each other had been seeking even if they didn't know it consciously. I love how each felt they were unlovable for different reasons but found trust and true love with each other.

I give this novella 4 1/2 stars. The mystery and romance could have used a few more pages, but that is because I would have wanted more. In truth, it was well balanced and a well told. I highly recommend it to those that have enjoyed this steampunk world and those that enjoy a good paranormal romance.

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

First in series
352 p.
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 8/2/16
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast.

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border. Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

My thoughts:

Hm... Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast? Um... you know I was so going to get this book for review. And while this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, it actually seemed more than that. At first I was reminded of Dracula and The Secret Garden. Later I became more aware of the influence of Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast. I actually would say it is more influenced by Jane Eyre, however. Yea, you can safely say this one felt like an homage to the classics with a bit of steampunk thrown in.

Too much? Actually it worked. I enjoyed sussing out what the influence was and at the same time I was enraptured by Lucy who was no shrinking violet. I even loved that when she was overtaken by fear, she didn't let it stop her. She even was Miles's equal... and dare I say may have surpassed him in fortitude. The mystery is also what moved the story along with Lucy who is the one determined to get to the bottom of things. It is through her and a particular ghost with the same attitude as Lucy that we learn everything that we need to figure out what had happened.

The steampunk in this book is light but does have all the necessary gadgets to get us through the book. I would have liked to know a bit more about a couple of the gadgets but that is really more about curiosity on my part and may have slowed down the pace too much for me to learn those things. So, I do not count that as a niggle in my reading.

I give this steampunk murder mystery thriller paranormal retelling *breath* 4 stars. It is fun, twisty and has some great characters to love. I really recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and steampunk in particular. It reads as a standalone but I also understand that this is the first in a series and I cannot wait to read the next book.

Grim Shadows by Jenn Bennett

Series: Roaring Twenties #2
321 p.
Published: 6/3/14
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Library

It’s the Roaring Twenties in foggy San Francisco. Prohibition is on, inhibitions are low, and dark magic is rolling into town… 

Archaeologist Lowe Magnusson is packing something everyone wants. The djed amulet, a priceless Egyptian artifact, will fetch Lowe a hefty paycheck from one of San Francisco’s wealthiest. But when the handsome Swede runs into his patron’s uptight daughter, what he once considered easy money becomes maddeningly complicated…

Cursed with deadly spirits as her constant companions, curator Hadley Bacall must keep calm to hold her dangerous specters at bay and prevent them from lashing out at anything—or anyone. Trouble is, Lowe is driving her crazy, but her father needs the artifact he’s transporting. While Hadley can feel the amulet’s power, she can’t fathom the destruction—or the desire—it’s about to stir up.

My thoughts:

Devoured the first book and was happy to get into the second book. This time I read them instead of audio. I loved the audio, but I just decided I had reading time and I took it. :)

This book can be read as a standalone, but I do not recommend it. It builds on the world of the first and some minor things just make more sense. Plus this is only a trilogy so you won't be too lost to take the books in order. This is Lowe's book (each Magnusson sibling gets a book) and his romance. This one also throws in the mystery of a mysterious amulet and a question of if a father is concerned more about his child or with vengeance.

I did love the characters and I also enjoyed the paranormal abilities that Hadley carried. However, this one seemed to be lacking a bit on the details to really pull me into the paranormal part of the book. The mystery and the romance was done very well, however. So while I did enjoy this one, I have to say that I enjoyed the first book a bit more. I'm also not sure if it is because I read it rather than listened to it. I was fully engulfed within the world in the audio version. I suspect it may be a bit of each, but it still is a book I would highly recommend.

I give this book 4 stars. While I did feel that it faltered a bit on the paranormal side of things, I did think the adventure, mystery and romance will capture anyone who reads it. Plus, it's Jenn Bennett and I just adore her writing.

Speakers of the Dead by J. Aaron Sanders

Series: A Walt Whitman Mystery
320 p.
Publisher: Plume
Published: 3/1/16
Source: First to Read and publisher for review

Speakers of the Dead is a mystery novel centering around the investigative exploits of a young Walt Whitman, in which the reporter-cum-poet navigates the seedy underbelly of New York City's body-snatching industry in an attempt to exonerate his friend of a wrongful murder charge. 

The year is 1843; the place: New York City. Aurora reporter Walt Whitman arrives at the Tombs prison yard where his friend Lena Stowe is scheduled to hang for the murder of her husband, Abraham. Walt intends to present evidence on Lena's behalf, but Sheriff Harris turns him away. Lena drops to her death, and Walt vows to posthumously exonerate her.

Walt's estranged boyfriend, Henry Saunders, returns to New York, and the two men uncover a link between body-snatching and Abraham's murder: a man named Samuel Clement. To get to Clement, Walt and Henry descend into a dangerous underworld where resurrection men steal the bodies of the recently deceased and sell them to medical colleges. With no legal means to acquire cadavers, medical students rely on these criminals, and Abraham's involvement with the Bone Bill—legislation that would put the resurrection men out of business—seems to have led to his and Lena's deaths.

Fast-paced and gripping, Speakers of the Dead is a vibrant reimagining of one of America's most beloved literary figures.

My thoughts:

I have to admit that at first I wasn't happy to have Walt Whitman as this character. It just didn't mesh with the picture in my head. However, reading the notes by the author at the end really brought it to clarity for me. He tells that he took an aspect of Walt's life and then built a mystery around it. It made so much more sense to me and really changed how I saw this book.

It took a while for the mystery to really congeal in my head. It seemed to be a bit disjointed but as the story became less a horror story (it felt that way at first) and more a mystery it really caught my attention. By the end I really wanted to know what happened and who did it. AND even at the point where everyone knew who the culprit was, it was so entwined with other people we really didn't have one person to accuse. While this does not work for every book, it works here and it keeps a thread open for more mysteries.

While this isn't a romantic type of book, the romance between Walt and Henry really pulled at my heartstrings. It was sweet and really the one aspect that pulled me through the beginning of the book. I think romance lovers will love and hate that aspect of the book (I will not say why, but you will get that statement when you read it).

I give this book 4 stars. It is a good mystery and even a thriller where no one is safe and the ending is messy but complete.

Resolution by J. S. Cooper

Series: Swept Away #3
240 p.
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 12/1/15
Source: From publisher for review

When Bianca and Jakob first awoke on a sandy shore in the middle of nowhere, their thoughts were only concerned with survival. But as they explored their surroundings and tried to find out who left them stranded on the island, electricity surged between them. Soon after, Bianca uncovered clues to her abduction, but was left with even more unanswered questions, especially about Jakob’s true motives… 

Now, Bianca just wants the truth. Nothing was as it seemed, especially with Jakob. As she discovers cross upon double cross, all she can trust is her instinct, her connection with him. So they decide to return to the island in hopes of finally learning the truth. Bianca and Jakob have been thrown together and torn apart by their secrets—but can she trust him enough to rescue her at last?When Bianca and Jakob first awoke on a sandy shore in the middle of nowhere, their thoughts were only concerned with survival. But as they explored their surroundings and tried to find out who left them stranded on the island, electricity surged between them. Soon after, Bianca uncovered clues to her abduction, but was left with even more unanswered questions, especially about Jakob’s true motives… 

Now, Bianca just wants the truth. Nothing was as it seemed, especially with Jakob. As she discovers cross upon double cross, all she can trust is her instinct, her connection with him. So they decide to return to the island in hopes of finally learning the truth. Bianca and Jakob have been thrown together and torn apart by their secrets—but can she trust him enough to rescue her at last?

My thoughts:

I'll make this review short especially since the book was so short. I think that is one of the reasons I didn't mind going on with the series when I wasn't enamored with the first one.

This one was a bit better in the mystery department. Although it was the strongest part of the trilogy, it seemed to lag in the other installments, especially the second book. In this one we go back and forth in the past and in the present and it did help move things along. I still didn't like the romance in the book. I did like Bianca better but not Jakob. Ugh. He could be such a jerk. There was a epilogue with the couple and I actually liked them in it! I just wished the romance was the same in the rest of the book.

I give this book 2 stars.  The mystery was solved for the most part. In fact I was thinking back and realized that the main mystery we started out with (I don't want to spoil so I won't say what) was sorta solved. The characters were satisfied with what they thought happened but no definitive evidence or arrest for that particular crime. Still, I had to think about it before I realized that nugget. :) Otherwise the rest of the twists you did get with the mystery did seem to be resolved.

Audiobook Review with Crafts: Disillusioned by J. S. Cooper

Series: Swept Away #2
Narrated: Carly Robins
6 hrs. 35 min.
Publisher: Tantor Media
Unabridged
Published: 3/31/15
Source: Hoopla/Library

Following on the heels of Illusion, indie sensation and New York Times bestselling author J.S. Cooper brings us the second novel in the Swept Away series, a trilogy of dark and sexy romances about a woman marooned on a desert island with a sexy stranger—but is he friend or foe? 

When Bianca and Jakob awake on a sandy shore in the middle of nowhere, their first thoughts are of survival. But as they explore their surroundings and try to discover who stranded them on the island, they can’t deny the electricity surging between them. Soon it’s more than just a campfire keeping them warm… 

But just as Bianca is starting to trust Jakob, she uncovers a clue to their abduction—and he may know more than he’s letting on. Was Jakob just as surprised as she to find himself alone with her…or could the man she’s fallen for be her captor?

My thoughts:

Well, I thought I'd try this one as well since it was only 6 hrs and I thought that was doable. I am sorry to say that I didn't find the romance or relationship any better than I did in the first book. Same problems and the same issues. Pretty much it goes like this: Bianca trusts Jakob, Bianca and Jakob have a hot time, Bianca gets thrown by something and distrusts Jakob, neither seem to have a clue to trust the other but each demands it from the other, add the mystery and repeat... often. A small progress was done on the mystery and I found that putting it on the fast speed really helped this one for me. It was my friend.

Yea, it is a mission now with me to find out what the heck happened since I have the last book and I'm determined to find out who is pulling their strings when they aren't demanding trust from the other. I give this audio 1 1/2 stars. I did enjoy Carly's narration, however and would listen to another audio by her. Also don't let me dissuade you from these books. A lot of people really enjoyed them so I would check out their reviews or check it out at the library and see if it is for you.

The Crafts!

This was a last minute Christmas gift I was determined to get done. I was sewing on Christmas day! :) This is for our veterinarian who does a lot for my pets and has a wonderful family. He noticed my zombie leash and liked it and so the seed of what was to come was born. :D  The embroidery says (in white) "Zombie Outbreak Response Team" and in red "K9 Unit". I hope he and his family liked it. 

Tough Justice 7-8 (ending!)

Betrayed
by Tyler Anne Snell
Series: Tough Justice #7
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kistmet Book Tours, Publisher and NetGalley for review

Keep your friends close. Your enemies closer. And your colleagues? 

Trust has never been easy for Special Agent Lara Grant. Life taught her a hard lesson as a child, one she's never forgotten. But now, when the betrayal is so close to home, Lara is pushed to the very limit. 

As the players finally move into position, it's time to go all in, or go home. It doesn't matter that fear is shaking her very core, it doesn't matter that everything she has…her team, her new family…is on the line. 

What does matter is that there has always been one truth about Lara Grant: when her back's against the wall, she comes out guns blazing. And at last her target is in her sights…

My thoughts:

This really is the book that wraps up everything in the story arc. We find out all the answers to our questions and it really felt like the ending book. I even finally started liking the romance a bit more (still not sold, but it is one of those things that will grow on you as a series goes on). Then a small thing... *can't say* happens and we are back on the edge of our seat needing the next book!

Hunted
by Carla Cassidy
Series: Tough Justice #8 (ending)
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kistmet Book Tours, Publisher and NetGalley for review

Live or die. Her or Moretti. The time is now. 

The worst has happened: her mark is on the run. But Special Agent Lara Grant has no clues. No destination. Just fear for those she loves and bone-deep belief that he's coming straight for her. But she knows Moretti …just as he knows her. And when the final clue clicks into place, the hunt is on. 

Lara will do anything it takes to catch this evil man who has caused the deaths of countless innocent people. With emotions on a knife edge, Lara is running on instinct, on the desperation of unconditional love. With adrenaline pumping, this is it for Lara…flight is not an option; all she can do is fight to the end…

My Thoughts:

NO! Okay, I wanted something else to happen... um... can't say (I'm trying to not spoil anything but it is SO HARD right now). Let me just say it would have been an alternate ending to one aspect of the arc (not an important part) but we now know that under no uncertain terms will it happen. :'( However, despite my disappointment that I had a feeling wouldn't happen anyway, the story line still gripped me. Although this was more of an addendum to the story arc, it is still filled with the same action that you got from the other books. It was a good addition to the story.

The serial wrap up:

I give this whole series 4 stars. I really recommend it to those that love thrillers especially. It was fun and kept you on the edge of your seat. For those wondering how all the authors worked out, I think it worked out fine. In a way it was like I was binging on a serial tv show and we just ended the first season. I would read another serial in this world again but I would need all the books at the same time like I did this one. Each episode is priced reasonably well and it is better than some thrillers out there now.

Don't forget that the blog tour is going on now for these books w/ international giveaway:

Just click on the pic above to go to the post here!

Tough Justice #4-6

Trapped
by Gail Barrett
Series: Tough Justice #4
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kistmet Book Tours, Publisher and NetGalley for review

Can they get out of this investigation alive? 

Special Agent Lara Grant's team are racing against the clock to prove infamous crime boss Moretti is behind a recent series of murders. With each lead ending up in a body bag, Lara's trapped by the weight of her own guilt. How many would still be alive if it weren't for her troubled history with the villain? 

But he won't quit, so neither can Lara. The sniper is the key to finding the link between Moretti and the current cases. But before they can reach him, Moretti hits closer to home than Lara could have imagined…

My Thoughts:

This one really seemed to capture my attention and I finally realized that this serial reminded me of a tv series. One where you are trying to figure out the overall arc, but are presented with a mystery to be solved within the hour... oh and get a glimpse of what needs to be solved in the next. I think that is why the change of authors do not bother me and it felt familiar. I feel like I'm binging on a series. :)

In this one I really need to know what Moretti is playing. I'm even questioning if he has anything directly to do with what is going on. If he doesn't, then why does he know so much. Darn it! I want those answers but I know they won't come until the end. This episode was still very action oriented and I'm still not behind the coupling of Lara and her partner. I'm not against it, but just don't quite feel it yet. Still, too many secrets between the two of them (with one demanding answers but giving none himself) so at this point it doesn't work. Plus, with so much going on, it is hard to have a fully realized romance in the story. This one ends with another bang and I need to know what happens next...

Twisted
by Gail Barrett
Series: Tough Justice #5
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kismet, Publisher, and NetGalley for review

A mission that will turn this case on its head… 

With a sting set for a downtown bar, Special Agent Lara Grant and her team are on high alert to snare the most dangerous man in Manhattan. No one tears their team apart and gets away with it! Their aim: to get the perp's DNA from his shot glass… 

Mission accomplished, but each step forward in the case takes them two steps back into Lara's past—this time, to the years before her undercover assignment, and a family torn apart by a brutal murder. But Lara knows she can focus only on the present. Because when the DNA results come through, they shock the team and rock the very foundations of the case…

My thoughts:

Yea, all I can say is this... I KNEW IT! :D Okay, the reveal here wasn't a total shocker since it was all but told to you in the previous editions, but you never know when they will throw in something you didn't expect. However, if you don't think there was any surprise, you will be mistaken. Now to figure out how all the pieces fit together. Another great addition to this serial.

Ambushed
by Carol Ericson
Series: Tough Justice #6
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kismet, Publisher, and NetGalley for review

A sinister surprise is lying in wait… 

With her trusted team all focused on getting justice, Special Agent Lara Grant is relieved to finally see some progress, even if their investigation has now turned to delving into some gruesome events from over twenty years ago. 

An exhumation is necessary to unravel all the knots of this case, but Lara is surprised by how close their quarry is… In fact, he's just one step ahead, almost teasing them by how near he is…

My thoughts:

Oh this one not only has us feeling like things might actually get solved, there are a few surprises thrown in for good measure. I was questioning one aspect of the storyline and I think I was right! It was a small niggle and the fact that I read so many thrillers and watch them, I picked up on it. Yes, I know I could be a detective... if it was on tv. LOL Oh I can feel the ending and everything coming together. Immediately picking up the next one.

Don't forget that the blog tour is going on now for these books w/ international giveaway:

Just click on the pic above to go to the post here!

Tough Justice # 1-3

I decided to break these up into sections of the serial since I will review them separately on NetGalley. I'm doing more than one post on them since otherwise it would seem impossibly long. I'll try to keep the review sections short.

Exposed
Series: Tough Justice #1
by Carla Cassidy
85 p.
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: From Kismet Book Tour, Publisher and NetGalley for review

A new job. A new case. A new criminal... ? 

Special Agent Lara Grant will do anything to get her mark - until her last undercover case, infiltrating the notorious Moretti crime ring, forced her to get close to the top. Way. Too. Close... 

Now starting a new job in New York City, all Lara wants is to leave the ghosts of her past behind. Until a dramatic sniper attack leaves Lara's face - and real name - all over the media. In the blink of an eye, her cover is blown, her identity exposed. 

Then a woman's body is found, branded with the ritual Moretti tattoo. Someone knows who Lara is... and exactly how to make her pay...

My thoughts:

I normally don't do serials since I hate getting snippets of stories doled out at a snail's pace (can you say impatient?) but since these were all out and they were done by different authors, I was curious.

This series started out with a bang. As I was reading, I didn't think I'd get into Laura's character but as the book went on (and it was short) I found myself rooting for her. When the end came... and it ended with a "bang" and a cliffie (I have the next one YES!) I was totally captivated and I have to know what happens next. If you try this one (and it is free at the time of writing the review) get the second book. You don't want to be left hanging! :) It was a good start to this serial.

Watched
Series: Tough Justice #2
by Tyler Anne Snell
89 p.
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kismet Book Tours, Publisher and NetGalley for review

He's got his eye on her…and won't quit until she's dead! 

Special Agent Lara Grant is back in her enemy's sights, but this time she's not alone. She has a brand-new team and Lara knows she'll need to trust them with her life. Starting now. 

When a lead becomes a victim, Lara and her team are thrown. Lara put Moretti away for life—so how can a guy who is still in prison be pulling strings? There's only one way to find out. 

But when Lara comes face-to-face with the monster from her past, will she get answers? Or unleash hell? 

Part 2 of 8 in the chilling, high-octane FBI thriller TOUGH JUSTICE from New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy and authors Tyler Anne Snell, Carol Ericson and Gail Barrett.

My thoughts:

This one picked up right where the last one left off and didn't leave you hanging for answers to the last chapter of the last book. Thank goodness! :) It starts with a bang and doesn't quite let you catch your breath. The "flavor" of the character Laura was a bit different. While she was very rigid in the last book, she seemed more reckless. Not so much that she frustrated you, but just enough to see the difference in how the character was portrayed. It didn't bother me as it also felt like we got to know her better and that is why we perceived a change in her. This one also ends with a bit of a cliffie, but not as brutal as the last one. Still a good addition to this story.

Burned
Series: Tough Justice #3
by Carol Ericson
83 p.
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Published: 1/12/16
Source: Kismet Book Tours, Publisher and NetGalley for review

She burned Moretti…now it's his turn. 

Destroying Moretti was Special Agent Lara Grant's biggest coup, but she paid a heavy price to make the bust. She'll do anything to keep him—and her secrets—behind bars.
But Lara knows he's playing the FBI like a maestro even from jail. So when her boss's daughter is kidnapped, it's personal…and not just for Lara. 

With the team at breaking point, it's up to Lara to keep everyone focused. Until a chilling photo is delivered to her home address. Moretti knows where she lives. And he knows what she's hiding…

My thoughts:

I am thinking I can sense a change in the "flavor" of the characters through each author, but admittedly I'm not sure if that is because I'm aware of the change in author. I will say this, even though I can "feel" the change it doesn't bother me and it does bring out something in the characters and the secondary characters because of the difference. I like it. :)

Although I do perceive a change, the action and the author is true when keeping to the overall arc of the storyline. This one also ends at a sort of cliffie, but it is okay since all the books are out and it is more like getting a slice of the pie and knowing you can have the rest later (without bad consequences, of course... LOL). This one seemed to bring in a bit more of the team, but none of the big questions are answered. However all immediate questions are as they are in each addition to the story. I'm getting more curious about Moretti and want to know exactly what his role with Lara was in the past. I'm not the only one wanting to know, it has become a sore spot with her partner as well.

Onto the next...

Don't forget that the blog tour is going on now for these books w/international giveaway:

Just click on the pic above to go to the post here!

Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger

Series: Finishing School #4
Last book in series
326 p.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 11/3/15
Source: Library

If one must flirt…flirt with danger. 

Lessons in the art of espionage aboard Mademoiselle Geraldine’s floating dirigible have become tedious without Sophronia’s sweet sootie Soap nearby. She would much rather be using her skills to thwart the dastardly Picklemen, yet her concerns about their wicked intentions are ignored, and now she’s not sure whom to trust. What does the brusque werewolf dewan know? On whose side is the ever-stylish vampire Lord Akeldama? Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way, and when it comes to fruition, Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster—in decidedly dramatic fashion, of course. 

What will become of our proper young heroine when she puts her years of training to the test? Find out in this highly anticipated and thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Finishing School series!

My thoughts:
I was so sad that I couldn't get this one for review but I requested it at my library first chance I got! So, this became one of my library reads. I was not disappointed and I couldn't wait to see how everything ends.

The mystery and espionage were as good as the other books. I quickly fell into this world and couldn't wait to find out what happened to my favorite characters. I do think things were well rounded up and it all made complete sense. So why was I a bit disappointed? I can only figure that it is because it is the ending book as to why I was left bereft when the last page appeared.

The issue between Soap and Felix is resolved and it makes sense! I couldn't see how that one would come about. I also love the new Soap. :) There are also minor issues that become resolved within the book. I think the resolutions are so complete it made me a bit disillusioned. No more guesses as to how things will work out. No more guesses at the impossible. No more Sophronia's adventures. I was also upset by Bumbersnoot's resolution. Although I have to say I couldn't have thought of anything more perfect (other than him coming through the book to land on my lap) in how his adventure was resolved. I can only say that I'm truly disappointed that this is the last book.

I give this book 4  1/2 stars. It is a perfect resolution to all the lose ends we encountered throughout the series. I would not skip around in the series but read them in order. This series is the perfect steampunk adventure for YA and adult crowds but it almost ends too perfect for me. That was it's only real problem in the book (what a funny problem to have!). I couldn't have thought of anything better but it also means we have to leave this world and go onto other stories. I highly recommend this series to everyone.

A Murder in Mohair by Anne Canadeo

Series: A Black Sheep Knitting Mystery #8
304 p.
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 12/1/15
Source: From publisher for review

In Anne Canadeo's cozy eighth Black Sheep Knitting Mystery, a cold-hearted murder in Plum Harbor leads the knitters to investigate a new psychic who may be far more dangerous than she seems… 

When Jimmy Hubbard, the manager of the local cinema, is murdered in a robbery gone wrong, the residents of Plum Harbor are mystified. Everyone liked Jimmy, and the struggling theater seems an unlikely target for burglars. 

The Black Sheep Knitters are surprised and saddened by the crime, but are more suspicious of psychic-medium Isabel Waters, who has recently set up shop in town. Isabel has hoodwinked one of their friends into shelling out big money every week to keep the memory of a lost loved one alive. Determined to reveal Isabel as a fraud, the knitters are pulled in the web of Isabel’s world and find themselves in a tangle of secrets and lies. They must solve two murders before the truth about all of Isabel’s clients—past and present—are revealed. 

As in her previous books A Dark and Stormy Knit, The Silence of the Llamas, and Knit, Purl, Die—which Publishers Weekly praised for its “fast-paced plot that will keep even non-knitters turning the pages”—Canadeo brings her trademark style to this entertaining mystery that will psych you out and leave you wanting more.

My thoughts:

I haven't read the other books, but often you can come into a middle of a long running cozy mystery series and not feel too far behind. I felt that way here. While it was obvious that I missed some other shenanigans that happened to the group (or specific individuals) I didn't feel lost and so enjoyed the murder mystery unfolding in front of me.

The first murder happened and I immediately knew that several members of the knitting group involve themselves into what goes on in the town. Not just because it is a cozy mystery and that kind of thing is standard, but because the town's police were both at once annoyed, cautioned, and curious about what these ladies would think. They didn't want them involved but at least listened to a sound theory. I liked that because either the police seem to be totally bumbling and don't know what to do with a donut or so hard that you cannot like them. This was a nice balance in a small town where everyone seems to know everything.

The mystery doesn't twist too much that the end is unbelievable but it doesn't quite flow with the rest of the mystery. It does make sense but it just feels like there wasn't enough connection to those that "did it". Perhaps this is where reading the earlier books in the series would come in handy, but it also seemed that the characters most involved had just come to the town in the book previous to this one. At least that is what I lead to believe. However, despite this, I did enjoy the twist ending.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. It is a good cozy and even though it is a knitting group, food is a big part of the story so those who love recipes at the end of the book will not be disappointed.

Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen

Standalone
288 p.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 10/27/15
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

A beautiful violinist is haunted by a very old piece of music she finds in a strange antique shop in Rome. 

The first time Julia Ansdell picks up The Incendio Waltz, she knows it’s a strikingly unusual composition. But while playing the piece, Julia blacks out and awakens to find her young daughter implicated in acts of surprising violence. And when she travels to Venice to find the previous owner of the music, she uncovers a dark secret that involves dangerously powerful people—a family who would stop at nothing to keep Julia from bringing the truth to light.

My thoughts:

Another book I almost DNF'd because of one incident at the beginning. *spoiler (highlight to read)* She finds her cat stabbed and the likely culprit is her 3 yr old child. Two things I hate. Killing the animal and involving a kid. UGH. *end spoiler* I decided to push on because I had to know what happened to her child and I'm glad I did. Note to authors... stop it. Don't do what I said in the spoiler. I hate it and you could have done at least some of the same thing differently. Okay, off my soapbox. ;)

The rest of the story was engaging and I found myself captivated with the mystery Julia seems bound within the music. This part of the story feels haunting and paranormal and we aren't quite sure what is real. I love feeling off set in that manner. The story also shares a POV with Lorenzo who is an Italian Jew in WWII and how his story enter-twines with the music Julia found. The author ends up telling the story of Lorenzo and the others without dwelling on what happened but makes it no less horrific. The mystery is about how the music came about, and the players within the story both past and present.

I give this book 4 stars. I loved the authors prose and it was perfect to convey both the beauty of a piece of music as well as the tragic circumstances that surround it's inception and it's discovery. We find out all the parts of the story in the end and it is a satisfying ending to a short but powerful book. I do recommend it and if you find yourself in the same position as I did in the beginning, push through it, you will be happy you did.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

496 p.
Publisher: Random House Delacorte
Published: 10/27/15
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Set in gilded age New York, These Shallow Graves follows the story of Josephine Montfort, an American aristocrat. Jo lives a life of old-money ease. Not much is expected of her other than to look good and marry well. But when her father dies due to an accidental gunshot, the gilding on Jo’s world starts to tarnish. With the help of a handsome and brash reporter, and a young medical student who moonlights in the city morgue, Jo uncovers the truth behind her father’s death and learns that if you’re going to bury the past, you’d better bury it deep. 

Josephine Montfort is from one of New York's oldest, most respected, and wealthiest families. Like most well-off girls of the Gilded Age, her future looks set - after a finishing school education, she will be favourably married off to a handsome gentleman, after which she'll want for nothing. But Jo has other dreams and desires that make her long for a very different kind of future. She wants a more meaningful and exciting life: she wants to be an investigative journalist like her heroine Nellie Bly. But when Jo's father is found dead in his study after an alleged accident, her life becomes far more exciting than even Jo would wish. Unable to accept that her father could have been so careless, she begins to investigate his death with the help of a young reporter, Eddie Gallagher. It quickly becomes clear he was murdered, and in their race against time to discover the culprit and his motive, Jo and Eddie find themselves not only battling dark characters on the violent and gritty streets of New York, but also their growing feelings for each other.

My thoughts:

This isn't the gothic novel I expected from the blurb or the cover. There are dark aspect to this book, but really it is a historical mystery fiction. It really is a character book and while I loved Josephine's growth in the book, I did have a few problems with it. Really only one. She was terribly naive. Now, I did expect someone who is very sheltered to be naive, but she supposedly wanted to become a bluestocking and read accounts from Nellie Bly and had several papers snuck in by trusted servants. So, when she didn't know what a madam was or what she did with the girls, it did annoy me a bit. Not because she didn't catch on right away but because it seemed labored upon more than once. Even after it was fully explained to her she still had another incident where she was more naive than she should have been.

I also didn't like Eddie. He was fine at first but when he wanted her to give up her life for his, I thought it was very selfish. He knew what she would be giving up and he also knew she didn't quite have a clue. So, I found him very self-centered. This was not the only reason I didn't like him and toward the end I wanted someone else for Josephine. I hope that doesn't give too much away since the romance was secondary to the mystery at hand.

Now the mystery was done rather well. I really enjoyed how that played out and how it twisted within the story. In fact, I did guess one aspect of the mystery but not the others. I also didn't mind the Scooby Doo ending where the bad guy explains why they did it. There was even a "if it wasn't for you... (read crazy kids)" in there. LOL I did find that entertaining.

I give this book 3 stars. I did like Jo's growth and the mystery within the book. I enjoyed the historical references as it pertained to women at that time. I also loved the secondary character of Fay and how her mystery came about. I did have some problems with the romance but those who are reading the book for the mystery and history will enjoy this story a lot.