Book Review ~ The Tower

The Tower (Guardians of Destiny #1)

by Jean Johnson
published by Berkley Trade
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Summary (Goodreads): When serpent crept into their hall:
Danger waits for all who board,
Trying to steal that hidden tone.
Painted Lady saves the lord;
Tower’s master’s not alone.

In a fertile valley undisrupted by the aether-shattering death of the old Aian Empire, the Tower and its Guardians have entertained generations of wealthy mirror-scrying mages while adventurers from around the world risk their lives for fortune and fame. But on the one day the Tower stood unguarded, an intruder tried to seize the magic powering the vast structure. Now, locked out of the Tower’s innermost chambers, Kerric Vo Mos must brave the deadly traps keeping trespassers at bay in order to reclaim control.

Unfortunately, Kerric wields a pen far better than a sword, and the way into the Tower’s sanctum is treacherous. Only the help of an experienced player like Myal the Mendhite can get him to where he must go. But mutual respect will not be enough. Passion must also be employed, along with armor and weapons, as they embark on a perilous quest past monsters, riddles, and other dangers that even the Tower’s most dedicated viewers have never seen before.

My Thoughts: I had a hard time rating this one. It really depends on what you're looking for. The fantasy aspects worked best for me. I enjoyed the gauntlet run by the Master and Myal. The different obstacles and even the riddles that went along with different rooms. They not only have to trust each other they have to be completely intimate with each other to get past a series of challenges. On top of the deathly traps they encounter they also have a rogue group following behind them trying to overtake them and take the tower for themselves.
The problem for me was the romance. It really depends on the type of romance you like. This book started with the two characters already attracted to each other but having never expressed it. The story just built on this fact and took them through the tower and continued on to their regular lives after they got the tower back under Kerric's control. I guess it was kind of too sweet and easy for me. There was never any tension between them, it just was. This is not to say I did not like them as a couple, I just was underwhelmed from a story standpoint.
Overall, I can see myself continuing this series from a fantasy standpoint and if it happens to have a great romance in it all the better.

Rating: 3.5

New Releases ~ week of 7/29/2013

Hellfire by Jean Johnson (#3 in Theirs Not To Reason Why )

Last Blood by Kristen Painter (#5 in House of Comarre)
Harbinger by Philippa Ballantine (#4 in Book of the Order)
The Chocolate Touch by Laura Florand (#4 in Chocolate)
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews (#6 in Kate Daniels)
Flawfully Wedded Wives by Shana Burton (#3 in Flaws )
The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter (#10 in Lords of the Underworld Series)
My Notorious Gentleman by Gaelen Foley (#6 in Inferno Club)
Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep (#5 in Mythos Academy)
The Thing About Weres by Leigh Evans (#2 in Mystwalker)
How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan (#3  Forgotten Princesses )
Ready to Die by Lisa Jackson (#5 in Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli)

Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn (#12 in Kitty Norville)
Matchpoint by Elise Sax (#2 in The Matchmaker)
Complete Me by J. Kenner (#3 in Stark Trilogy)
The Night Is Alive by Heather Graham (#10 in Krewe of Hunters)
Star Power by Kelli London (#3 in Charly's Epic Fiascos)
And Then Comes Marriage by Celeste Bradley (#2 in Worthington)
The Master Undone by Lisa Renee Jones (#5 in Rebecca's Lost Journals)
Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips (#5 in Serendipity)
Hypnotize Me by Gordon Korman (#1 in Hypnotists)
Night Pilgrims by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (#26 in Saint-Germain)
Lady Anne's Lover by Maggie Robinson (#3 in London List)
The Sorcerer's Widow by Lawrence Watt-Evans (#12 in The Legends of

Ethshar)
Three Little Words by Susan Mallery (#13 in Fools Gold )
Pile of Bones by Bailey Cunningham (#1 in Parallel Parks)
Some Like It Hot by Susan Andersen (#2 Razor Bay/Bradshaw Brothers )
Vampires, Bones and Treacle Scones by Kaitlyn Dunnett (#7 in Liss MacCrimmon Mystery)
Revenge by Debra Webb (#5 in Faces of Evil)
The Rise of a Legend by Kathryn Lasky (#16 in Guardians of Ga'hoole)
I'd Rather Be With You by Mary B. Morrison (#2 in If I Can't Have You)
Blood Warrior by Lindsey Piper (#2 in Dragon Kings)
Kill City Blues by Richard Kadrey (#5 in Sandman Slim)
Diamonds Are a Thief's Best Friend by Hope McLean (#2 in Jewel Thieves)
Indelible by Dawn Metcalf (#1 in Twixt)

The Highway by C. J. Box (#2 in Cody Hoyt)
Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins (#1 in Wicked Widows)
Home to Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak (#4 in Whiskey Creek)
Seven Minutes in Heaven by Sara Shepard (#6 in Lying Game)
The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst (#4 in Marriage to a Billionaire)
Sanctuary Island by Lily Everett (#1 in Sanctuary Island)
The Lady and the Laird by Nicola Cornick (#1 in Scottish Brides)
Risk and Reward by Amy Valenti (#5 in Hot, Rich and Dominant)
Frigid by Jennifer L Armentrout (#1 in Frigid)
Death Angel by Linda Fairstein (#15 in Alex Cooper)
The Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love (#4 in Belador)

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is now hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

Q.What do you do with your books after you’re done reading them?

A.If it's a library book it goes into the library bag to be returned and if it is mine it goes either onto a shelf or pile on floor. We haven't finished our book room in our new house, it's the only room that still has boxes in it.

Happy Reading and Have a Great Weekend!

(non) Book Review ~ The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

by Suzanne Collins
published by Scholastic
genre: YA, Dystopian,

Summary (Goodreads): Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender.

If she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Thoughts: This is really not a review. This is one of those books that you have either read, are going to read or have no interest in. At this point you've made your mind up in one direction or the other. This is more for me to finally feel like I accomplished something. I've been saying I was going to read this book for the past two years and finally I've done it.
Whenever there is a book that receives as much hype, love and praise as this one, it always makes me wary. I usually end up disappointed when I read these books. I'm happy to say that wasn't the case here. I enjoyed reading this story. I found the characters interesting for the most part and the world/story were enough to keep me locked into the book until the end.
I guess the best thing I can say is that this was worth the two days it took me to read it and I don't regret taking the time. Now to work myself up to reading the second book.

Rating:4

New Releases ~ week of 7/22/2013

A Darkness Strange & Lovely by Susan Dennard (#2 in Something Strange & Deadly)

Carniepunk by various  authors (anthology)
Unleashed by David Rosenfelt (#11 in Andy Carpenter)
The White Princess by Philippa Gregory (#5 in The Cousins' War)
The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith (#1 in The Fury)
Original Death by Eliot Pattison (#3 in A Mystery of Colonial America )
The Heart Won't Lie by Vicki Lewis Thompson (#12 in Sons of Chance)
Taking Him Down by Meg Maguire (#2 in Wilinski's)
Sharpshooter by Cynthia Eden (#3 in Shadow Agents)
The Forgotten Ones by Pittacus Lore (#7 in I Am Number Four: The Lost Files)
Of Witches and Wind by Shelby Bach (#2 in The Ever Afters)
Lost For You by BJ Harvey (#2 in Lost)
Ruthless by HelenKay Dimon (#2 in Corcoran Team)
Trust In Me by Dee Tenorio (#5 in Rancho Del Cielo)

The Accused by Jana DeLeon (#3 in Mystere Parish)
Two Fronts by Harry Turtledove (#5 in War That Came Early)
Smoky Ridge Curse by Paula Graves (#3 in Bitterwood P.D.)
Fool Moon: Vol 2 by Jim Butcher (#4 in Dresden Files (graphic novels))
Wanted: A Real Family by Karen Rose Smith (#1 in Mommy Club)
Binny for Short by Hilary McKay (#1 in Binny)
Chimera by David Wellington (#1 in Jim Chapel Mission)
Willa Bean to the Rescue! by Cecilia Galante (#5 in Little Wings)
It's Halloween, I'm Turning Green by Dan Gutman (#1 in My Weird School Special)
Hurry Up, Houdini! by Mary Pope Osborne (#50 in Magic Tree House)
To Sin with a Viking by Michelle Willingham (#1 in Forbidden Vikings)
A Lady Dares by Bronwyn Scott (#2 in Ladies of Impropiety)
Not Just a Governess by Carole Mortimer (#1 in Season of Secrets)
Light of the World by James Lee Burke (#20 in Dave Robicheaux)

Arts, Eats, & What Other

Art

Fly Away With Me by Anne Stokes

Eats
Flaming Green Dragon (from food.com)

Ingredients
1 ounce Midori melon liqueur
1 ounce Bacardi 151 rum

Directions:
1 Mix.
2 Light, letting flames warm drink (about 20 seconds).
3 Blow out flames.
4 Swallow quickly - take care not to burn yourself.

What Other
I've seen much talk and many Gifs about this...Hiccup grew up and became attractive. I don't find it any different than people with fictional boyfriends from books...

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Lost in Babylon

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Lost in Babylon (Seven Wonders #2)

by Peter Lerangis
published by HarperCollins
expected release date: October 29, 2013
genre: MG, Fantasy, 

Summary (Goodreads): Percy Jackson meets Indiana Jones in the New York Times bestselling epic adventure Seven Wonders! Lost in Babylon is the second book in a seven-book series, chronicling the adventures of Jack McKinley and his race to find the Loculi that have been hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In Lost in Babylon, Jack travels to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, where he discovers a world out of time and is faced with a dilemma unlike any he'd ever imagined.

Rick Riordan calls Seven Wonders "a high-octane mix of modern adventure and ancient secrets. The Colossus Rises is Lerangis's most gripping work yet. Young readers will love this story. I can't wait to see what's next in the Seven Wonders series!"

**I enjoyed reading the first book in this series and look forward to finding out what happens next.

Book Review ~ The Testing

The Testing (The Testing #1)

by Joelle Charbonneau
published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
genre: YA, Dystopian,

Summary (Goodreads): Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

My Thoughts: I'll start with this; I'm very hit or miss when it comes to dystopian books. Also, I haven't read the Hunger Games so I will not be comparing this to that (probably a benefit).
This was one of my favorite books I've read so far this year. I read it in most of a day and only put it down when I had to.
When it started I was concerned that it was going to be like Divergent, but that only lasted for a couple of pages. Even though there hasn't been a candidate from Cia's area in years this is still all she dreams about growing up. We start to get a sense of her character from the moment of her and three others find out they will be going through the testing. There are moments when she does something and I found myself thinking "brilliant" and other times not so much. This made me like her character more. I dislike when everything is just perfect and no matter what the character does, it's the right thing.
There were other characters I found interesting, even when they were recognizable as the "bad guy". Tomas was one of these. I still don't really like him but am curious about things that happened when him and Cia were not in a group together.
Overall, as I said at the beginning I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to read book 2. I'm curious what parts Cia recorded and if something she left out causes her to trust the wrong person as she is working through it. I also want to know what exactly happened with Tomas and Will when Cia was separated from them for the night. Luckily Independent Study comes out in January.

Rating: 4.5

*You  can download the eBook prequel here The Testing Guide 

New Releases ~ week of 7/15/2013

*Links go to Goodreads

Sunshine on Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith (#8 in 44 Scotland Street Series)

Dreams of Ivory by Carrie Ann Ryan (#5 in Holiday, Montana )
The Tudor Conspiracy by C W Gortner (#2 in Spymaster Chronicles)
The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews (#15 in Meg Langslow)
Hunting Eve by Iris Johansen (#19 in Eve Duncan Forensics)
The Widow's Strike by Brad Taylor (#4 in Pike Logan)
Belladonna by Fiona Paul (#2 in Secrets of the Eternal Rose)
Countdown City by Ben H Winters (#2 in The Last Policeman )
Nearer Home by Joy Castro (#2 in Nola Cespedes)
Beauty and the Billionaire by Jessica Clare (#2 in The Billionaire Boys Club)
The Midnight Heir by Cassandra Clare (#4 in Bane Chronicles)
Witch Wraith by Terry Brooks (#3 in Dark Legacy of Shannara)
The English Girl by Daniel Silva (#13 in The Gabriel Allon Series)

Stranded by Alex Kava (#11 in Maggie O'Dell)
Innocence Defied by Lainey Reese (#3 in The New York Trilogy)
In Time by Alexandra Bracken (#1.5 in Darkest Minds)
Claws of the Cat by Susan Spann (#1 in Shinobi Mysteries)
No Easy Way Out by Dayna Lorentz (#2 in No Safety In Numbers)
Island Road by Lily Everett (#3 in Billionaire Brothers)
Massacre Pond by Paul Doiron (#4 in Mike Bowditch Mystery)
Pride of the Lion by N J Walters (#3 in Hades' Carnival)
He Claims Me by Cynthia Sax (#3 in Seen Trilogy)
The Strangers by Jacqueline West (#4 in Books of Elsewhere)
Sink or Swim by Bob Balaban (#2 in Creature from the Seventh Grade)
Downfall by Jeff Abbott (#4 in Sam Capra)
Storm Riders by Margaret Weis (#2 in Dragon Brigade)
The Wednesday Daughters by Meg Waite Clayton (#2 in Wednesday)

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.

Library
The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires #12)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau (The Testing #1)

Gifts (birthday last week)

The Sentinel Mage by Emily Gee (The Cursed Kingdoms #1)
Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #29)

Night Vision by Yasmine Galenorn (Indigo Court #4)
The Magickers Chronicles by Emily Drake (Volume One; The Magickers, The Curse of Arkady)
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book Review ~ The Rithmatist

The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1)

by Brandon Sanderson
published by Tor Teen
genre: YA, Fantasy, 

Summary (Goodreads): More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever.

My Thoughts: This was the first I had read from this author and immediately went in search of more. There was just something so unique about this story that I was pulled in right from the beginning.
I loved Joel's need for knowledge, especially all things rithmatics. All he's ever wanted to do was be one of the chosen few and all you want is for him to get another chance. Melody was the kind of over the top character that usually annoys me but I ended up really liking. She is the opposite of Joel in every way. While he excels, she struggles. This is a big thing considering her family is one of the few that is made of many rithmatists.
I also really liked the bad guys in this story. From the chalk drawings to people taken over by chalk drawings to the people who disappeared into the chalklings, it was again something I had not read before.
Overall, the uniqueness along with the twists and turns taken by the author made me keep reading from beginning to end. You can't help but root for Joel, Melody and their professor. The fact that they do not always get what they want, while still saving the day, made them even more likable in my opinion. Once finished I was ready for a second book.

Rating: 4

New Releases ~ week of 7/8/2013

Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (#5 in Charley Davidson)

Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier (#2 in Shadowfell)
The Cat Sitter's Cradle by Blaize Clement (#8 in Dixie Hemingway Mysteries)
Talon/Xavier by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright (#5 - 6 in Bayou Heat)
The Chocolate Rose by Helen Perelman (#11 in Candy Fairies)
Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble (#2 in Hope Beach)
Bombshell by Catherine Coulter (#17 in The FBI Thriller Series)
Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover (#2 in Hopeless)
The Last Word by Lisa Lutz (#6 in Izzy Spellman Mysteries)
True Love by Jude Deveraux (#1 in Nantucket Brides Trilogy)
Gone with the Win by Mary Daheim (#28 in Bed-And-Breakfast Mysteries)
Gridlock by Byron L. Dorgan, David Hagberg (#2 in Nate Osborne and Ashley Borden )
Hidden Order by Brad Thor (#12 in Scot Harvath)

Eye for an Eye by Ben Coes (#4 in Dewey Andreas)
Beautiful Bitch by Christina Lauren (#1.5 in Beautiful Bastard)
The Summer Cottage by Lily Everett (#2 in Billionaire Brothers)
Zom-B Angels by Darren Shan (#4 in Zom-B)
Levi's Ultimatum by Eliza Gayle (#2 in Purgatory Masters)
The Eternity Code Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer (#3 in Artemis Fowl: Graphic Novel)

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is now hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

Q. Today’s is the US’ Independence Day. Share your favorite book with a war in it, or an overthrow of the government.
A. I decided to stay away from dystopia and go with one of my favorite fantasy reads. I just finished Cursor's Fury (book 3 in Codex Alera) by Jim Butcher. I loved not only the big battle scenes but also the smaller more intricate mind games that were going on throughout the whole book.

I'm also trying out Bloglovin, if you are on there let me know so I can follow you.
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Happy Reading and Have a Great Weekend!

Happy 4th of July

Wishing Everyone a Fun and Safe 4th of July!

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Bound by Night

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Bound by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #1)

 by Larissa Ione

published by Pocket Books

expected release date: September 24, 2013

genre: Adult, PNR, 

Summary (Goodreads):A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE

A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

**I'm always on the lookout for new series. I enjoyed Ione's Demonica series so looking forward to giving this one a try.

Google Reader and Followers

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

This post is a little late considering. I'm sure everyone knows that Google Reader is no more and has switched over to someone else.
I'm still looking between BlogLovin and Feedly. I have set up accounts with both but for now I seem to be having less problems with Bloglovin so they are who I'm focusing on. This is also a test post for claiming my blog on their site.
Another option is Google + which I already share my posts on (Kristina D, NewBorrowedUsed).

Hope everyone is having a Great Holiday week (here in the states) and a great week in general if you're not.
Happy Reading!

New Releases ~ week of 7/1/2013

Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan (#3 in Breathing )

Thieves' Quarry by D. B. Jackson (#2 in Thieftaker Chronicles )
Tulle Death Do Us Part by Annette Blair (#6 in Vintage Magic Mystery)
White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland (#3 White Trash Zombie )
Macrieve by Kresley Cole (#12 in The Immortals After Dark )
Awaken by Meg Cabot (#3 in Abandon trilogy)
Midnight's Captive by Donna Grant (#6 in Dark Warriors)
A Custom Fit Crime by Melissa Bourbon (#4 in Magical Dressmaking Mystery)
Storm Surge by Taylor Anderson (#8 in Destroyermen)
Dyeing Wishes by Molly MacRae (#2 in Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery)
Vicious Moon by Lee Roland (#3 in Earth Witches )
Dire Desires by Stephanie Tyler (#3 in Eternal Wolf Clan)
Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton (#22 in Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter)

Not the Killing Type by Lorna Barrett (#7 in Booktown Mystery)
Unseen by Karin Slaughter (#8 in Will Trent)
One Dead Cookie by Virginia Lowell (#4 in Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery)
Grace Takes Off by Julie Hyzy (#4 in Manor of Murder Mystery)
Rubbed Out by Riley Adams (#4 in Memphis Barbeque Mystery)
Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman (#8 in Crochet Mystery)
Laced With Poison by Meg London (#2 in Sweet Nothings)
Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber (#1 in Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Cold Copper by Devon Monk (#3 in Age of Steam)
I Dream of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice (#2 in Ghost Ops)
Deadly Forecast by Victoria Laurie (#11 in Psychic Eye Mystery)
Claim Me by J. Kenner (#2 in Stark Trilogy)
Hungry Like A Wolf by Christine Warren (#8 in Novels of the Others)
Night Vision by Yasmine Galenorn (#4 in Indigo Court)

The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk (#1 in Annwyn)
The Last Emprex by E J Altbacker (#6 in Shark Wars)
The Rogue Steals a Bride by Amelia Grey (#6 in Rogues' Dynasty)
London's Last True Scoundrel by Christina Brooke (#4 in Ministry of Marriage)
The Dragon Healer by Bianca D'Arc (#1.5 in Daughters of the Dragon (Dragon Knights I))
Tarnished and Torn by Juliet Blackwell (#5 in Witchcraft Mystery)
Death of a Coupon Clipper by Lee Hollis (#3 in Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries)
Her Dying Breath by Rita Herron (#2 in Slaughter Creek)
Emerald Isle by Barbra Annino (#4 in Stacy Justice Mysteries)
Of Grave Concern by Max McCoy (#1 in Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery)
A Cursed Embrace by Cecy Robson (#2 in Weird Girls )

The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray (#3 in Semper Fi)
A Murder in Passing by Mark de Castrique (#4 in Sam Blackman Mystery)
Warrior's Moon by Lucy Monroe (#5 in Children of the Moon)
The Twice Lost by Sarah Porter (#3 in Lost Voices)
In the Arms of the Heiress by Maggie Robinson (#1 in Ladies Unlaced)
Werewolf in Alaska by Vicki Lewis Thompson (#5 in Wild About You )
The Entity Within by Cat Devon (#2 in Entity)
Blackbird Lake by Jill Gregory (#3 in Lonesome Way)
Vortex by S. J. Kincaid (#2 in World War III Insignia trilogy)
Inked Destiny by Jory Strong (#2 in Inked Magic World )
Woof At the Door by Laura Morrigan (#1 in Call of the Wilde Mystery)
Beckman by Grace Burrowes (#4 in Lonely Lords )
Salvage by Meljean Brook (#3.5 in Iron Seas)
Forsaken By the Others by Jess Haines (#5 in Others)
Fangs for Nothing by Kathy Love, Erin McCarthy (#2 in Fangover)

The Wicked by Thea Harrison (#5.5 in Elder Races)
Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti (#1 in Sins Brothers)
Taken By the Duke by Jess Michaels (#1 in The Pleasure Wars )
The Firefly Cafe by Lily Everett (#1 in Billionaire Brothers)
Shifty Business by Greg Trine (#3 in Adventures of Jo Schmo)
The Thousand Names by Django Wexler (#1 in Shadow Campaigns)
Let It Burn by Steve Hamilton (#10 in Alex McKnight)
Sunny and the Royal Party by Laura Dower (#1 in Palace Puppies)
Sunny to the Rescue by Laura Dower (#2 in Palace Puppies)
The Fame Thief by Timothy Hallinan (#3 in Junior Bender)
This Strange and Familiar Place by Rachel Carter (#2 in So Close to You)
On the Razor's Edge by Michael Flynn (#4 in January Dancer)
Tallstar's Revenge by Erin Hunter (#6 in Warriors: Super Edition)