New Releases ~ week of 09/28/2015

A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon (#3 Second Chance)

A Cherry Cola Christmas by Ashton Lee (#4 Cherry Cola Book Club)
A Ghostly Murder by Tonya Kappes (#4 Ghostly Southern Mystery)
A Knights Bridge Christmas by Carla Neggers (#5 Swift River Valley)
A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter (#4 White Rabbit Chronicles)
About a Vampire by Lynsay Sands (#22 Argeneau Vampires)
After You by Jojo Moyes (#2 Me Before You)
All I Want for Christmas is Fudge by Nancy Coco (#4 Candy-Coated Mysteries)
All Wrapped Up by Kimberly Kincaid (#5 Pine Mountain)
Antiques St. Nicked by Barbara Allan (#11 Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery)
Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima (#3 Celtic Wolves)

Awakened In Shadows by Tigris Eden (#4 Shadow Unit)
Blessed are those Who Mourn by Kristi Belcamino (#4 Gabriella Giovanni Mysteries)
Bound by Sin by Jacquelyn Frank (#3 The Immortal Brothers)
Bread of the Dead by Ann Myers (#1 Santa Fe Cafe Mystery series)
Christmas in Mustang Creek by Linda Lael Miller (#4 Brides of Bliss County)
Crossbones by John L Campbell (#4 Omega Days)
Dangerously Dark by Colette London (#2 Chocolate Whisperer Mystery)
Dead with the Wind by Miranda James (#2 Southern Sisters Mystery)
Deceive Me by Stacey Mosteller (#1 Two Sisters)
Down the Rabbit Hole by Various Authors, anthology
Emerald Buddha by Russell Blake (#2 Drake Ramsey)

Evergreen Springs by RaeAnne Thayne (#3 Haven Point)
Facing Fire by HelenKay Dimon (#4 Bad Boys Undercover)
Fated by Sarah Fine (#3 Servants of Fate)
Firestorm by Shannon Mayer (#3 Elemental)
Fortune's Folly by Sara King (#2 Outer Bounds)
Last Hope by Jessica Clare (#5 Hitman)
Madly by Amy Alward (#1 Potion Trilogy)
Marry Me At Christmas by Susan Mallery (#19 Fools Gold)
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent (#1 Menagerie)
Pane and Suffering by Cheryl Hollon (#1 A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery)
Patriot Attack by Robert Ludlum, Kyle Mills (#12 Covert-One)
Playing Dirty by Tiffany A. Snow (#2 Risky Business)
Playing with Fire by Kate Meader (#2 Hot in Chicago)

Reign of Iron by Angus Watson (#3 Iron Age)
Say Yes to the Death by Susan McBride (#6 Debutante Dropout)
Shadow Play by Iris Johansen (#19 Eve Duncan Forensics)
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (#1 Six of Crows)
Spiral Of Need by Suzanne Wright (#1 Mercury Pack)
The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher (#1 The Cinder Spires)
The Bark Before Christmas by Laurien Berenson (#18 Melanie Travis)
The Hidden by Heather Graham (#17 Krewe of Hunters)
The Legend of Lyon Redmond by Julie Anne Long (#11 Pennyroyal Green)
The Stolen MacKenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley (#8 Highland Pleasures)
The Taming of Malcolm Grant by Paula Quinn (#4 The McGregors: Highland Heirs)
Willow Brook Road by Sherryl Woods (#13 Chesapeake Shores)
Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti (#1 Zeroes)

September Reading

I've been reading a lot lately but haven't really felt like writing reviews for the books I've finished. So, even though I'm in a writing slump, I thought I would share what I've read lately.

Cold Magic by Kate Elliott (Goodreads)
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would when it started. I'm hoping the next book focuses more on Cat's real family. I didn't really care for Bee but could understand Cat's loyalty and need to protect her at all costs.

Street Magic by Caitlin Kittredge (Goodreads)
I've owned the first few in this series forever and finally decided to read the first one. I liked the story but really struggled reading it. I've read many books set in London but the slang just seemed overdone at times. I'm still going to give the second book a try and hope I don't struggle with it as much.

Grave Dance by Kalayna Price (Goodreads)
Another series I've started recently and have been enjoying. Even with the love triangle aspect I like the story line. Alex is an great lead and as long as the love interests stay secondary to the main story I can get past them.

Chew, Vol. 1: Taster's Choice by John Layman, Rob Guillory (illustrator)
I found my limit on what I just cannot take while reading. Cibopathy (knowing things by eating items) is that limit. The writing and artwork of this volume was as great as all the reviews I had seen. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too gross/weird for me.

New Releases ~ week of 09/21/2015

Addict by Lexi Blake (#7 Thieves #2 Hunter)

Beastly Bones by William Ritter (#2 Jackaby)
Beautifully Loyal by Nicole Edwards (#2 Southern Boy Mafia)
Beneath These Scars by Meghan March (#4 Beneath)
Bits & Pieces by Jonathan Maberry (#5 Rot & Ruin)
Clamp School Detectives, Vol. 1 by CLAMP (#1 Clamp School Detectives)
Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon (#11 Mitford)
Cook's Big Day by Joanne Pence (#16 Angie Amalfi)
Crazy about Cameron by Katy Regnery (#3 Winslow Brothers)
Fear Us by B.B. Reid (#3 Broken Love)
Gatefather by Orson Scott Card (#3 Mither Mages)
Grave Misgivings by Lily Harper Hart (#4 Maddie Graves Mystery)
Hard As Steel by Laura Kaye (#4.5 Hard Ink)

Hidden Flames by Kennedy Layne (#2 Surviving Ashes)
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs (#3  Miss Peregrine)
Love by a SEAL by Cat Johnson (#6 Hot SEALs)
Move Your Blooming Corpse by D E Ireland (#2 Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery)
Shadow Fall by Laura Griffin (#9 Tracers)
Shadows Of Darkness by Stephanie Rowe (#10 Order of the Blade)
Sound by Alexandra Duncan (#2 Salvage)
Summer Marked by Rebekah L Purdy (#2 Winter People)
The Girl With the Deep Blue Eyes by Lawrence Block (#95 Hard Case Crime)
The One and the Two by Jason Webster (#5 Chief Inspector Max Cámara)

The Paradise of Glass by Petra Durst-Benning (#3 Glassblower)
Ungodly by Kendare Blake (#3 Antigoddess)
Unlawful Desire by Chelle Bliss (#2 Alpha PI)
Valley of Decision by Lynne Gentry (#3 The Carthage Chronicles)
Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (#1 Goldscryer Saga)

Book Review (Arc) ~Menagerie

Menagerie (Menagerie #1)

by Rachel Vincent
Published by MIRA
expected release date: September 29, 2015
genre: Adult, Mythology, Supernatural, Fantasy (dark),

**received e-arc from publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book right from the start. This is a dark look at what happens when humans get scared and decide the only solution is to round up anything that is not 100% human and imprison them one way or another.

*I wasn't as bothered by things that made this dark the way others were. They were highly disturbing but that is what made this book so great. If the author hadn't shown how bad the cryptids had it, the rest of the story wouldn't of had the same meaning.
*The reveal of how Delilah was still 100% human but had cryptid abilities was interesting. I'm not as familiar with what she is (really trying not to spoil here) so I was glad that it was well explained.
*I had an idea of what Gallagher was and it was another good reveal for the reader and the others that were around when it took place.
*I liked his  and Delilah's relationship. I was glad Delilah did just auto trust everyone around her that showed her a bit of kindness once she was caged.
* I liked the oracles and how they brought everything full circle from Delilah's past to the present.

Overall, I'm looking forward to this series. While I'm not sure where the author is going to go with the next book I'm interested enough to find out. With the way things ended and with the cryptids looking for lost family it seems like it can only go bad but here's hoping there's enough good to counterbalance them.

Rating: 4.5 

Some Thursday Randomness

Geeky Wants

Came across this today and instantly wanted just based on the cover. Wish they had some sample pages but I still want. Harry Potter Coloring Book  comes out November 24, 2015(Amazon pre order)










The Wonderland Book by Kirsty Mitchell Photography * I've been following this photographer and love her work. This set of pictures and soon to be book are dedicated to her mother. (kickstarter)

'The Queen's Armada'

Trailers
Under the category, I will eventually read the final book so I can watch these movies, Mockingjay part 2 trailer. Apparently, an emotional one for some people.


I need to catch up on Agents of SHIELD but here's a recap/promo (sorta) for the new season.

New Releases ~ week of 9/14/2015

A Tiger's Bride by Eve Langlais (#4 Lion's Pride)

Abandoned and Unseen by Alexandra Ivy, Carrie Ann Ryan (#2 Branded Packs)
Accelerate by Tracy Wolff (#1 Hotwired)
Clockwork Lives by Kevin J Anderson (#2 Clockwork Angels)
Come Hell or Highball by Maia Chance (#1 Discreet Retrieval Agency Mystery)
Corridors of the Night by Anne Perry (#21 William Monk)
Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren (#3 Wild Seasons)
Devoted in Death by J. D. Robb (#41 In Death)
Dirty Talk by Megan Erickson (#2 Mechanics of Love)
Dishing the Dirt by M. C. Beaton (#26 Agatha Raisin)
Driving Heat by Richard Castle (#7 Nikki Heat)
Fatal Frenzy by Marie Force (#9 Fatal)

Hard Love by Meredith Wild (#5 Hacker)
Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni (#2 Tracy Crosswhite)
Island of Graves by Lisa McMann (#6 Unwanteds)
It Takes Two to Tackle by Jeanette Murray (#3 The Santa Fe Bobcats)
Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong
Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan (#3 Maids of Honor)
One Year After by William R Forstchen (#2 After)
Patriot by Ted Bell (#9 Alexander Hawke)
Queen of Always by Sherry Ficklin (#3 Stolen Empire)
Reckonings by Cynthia Eden (#4 Battling McGuire Boys)
Secrets Of Starting Over by Liz Borino (#4 Secrets)
Sewing in Circles by Chloe Taylor (#13 Sew Zoey)

Sins of the Warrior by  Linda Poitevin (#4 Grigori Legacy)
Storm of Lightning by Richard Paul Evans (#5 Michael Vey)
Tank by Carmen Jenner (#2 Savage Saints MC)
Teasing Her SEAL by Anne Marsh (#1 SEALs of Fantasy Island)
Temptation by Brenda Huber (#3 Chronicles of the Fallen)
The Agent's Redemption by Lisa Childs (#4 Special Agents at the Altar)
The Ciphers of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler (#2 Covenant of Muirwood)
The End Game by Catherine Coulter, J. T. Ellison (#3 Brit in the FBI)
The Fiery Trial by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan (#8 Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy)
The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne by M L Longworth (#5 Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery)
The Oncoming Storm by Christopher Nuttall (#1 Angel in the Whirlwind)
The Rule of Mirrors by Caragh M O'Brien (#2 Vault of Dreamers)
The Scam by Janet Evanovich (#4 Kate O'Hare)
The Secrets of Dargon by Ciara Knight (#2 The Shrouded Kingdoms)
Twisted Honor by Becky McGraw (#2 Deep Six Security)

Book Review (Arc) ~ Chivalrous (DNF)

Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts #2)

by Dina L Sleiman
published by Bethany House
genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Lit, Fantasy

**received e arc from publisher and netGalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Goodreads): Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles--along with twists and turns aplenty--await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.

My Thoughts: DNF: Unfortunately this just wasn't working for me. I really liked Gwendolyn. If it had only been her story told from her POV I might have been able to finish it but Allen's POV is what turned e off.
First, I didn't know this was a second in a series. It would not have been a problem if Allen hadn't been part of some love triangle in the first book. Knowing this and the fact that Merry was all he talked about in the part of the book I read made it difficult to see him as someone for Gwen. Also, I know it is christian lit, but Allen's POV was very preachy. The author did a good job of being subtle but still showing the other characters faith without over doing it just not with Allen.
Others will enjoy this. It has a great fantasy setting and Gwendolyn really is a great female lead. I just couldn't get past Allen's voice in the part of the story I read.

New Releases ~ week of 09/07/2015

Dance of the Bones by J A Jance (#22 J P Beaumont)

Dark Ghost by Christine Feehan (#27 The Carpathians (Dark))
Darken the Stars by Amy A. Bartol (#3 Kricket)
Deviant Warrior by Brenda Trim (#3 Dark Warrior Alliance)
Evolution by Stephanie Diaz (#3 Extraction)
Hell's Foundations Quiver by David Weber (#8 Safehold)
Make Me by Lee Child (#20 Jack Reacher)
Making A Play by Victoria Denault (#2 Hometown Players)
Marion Takes Charge by Callie Barkley (#12 Critter Club)
Numbers by Laurann Dohner (#14 New Species)
Obsession Falls by Christina Dodd (#2 Virtue Falls)
Protecting Melody by Susan Stoker (#7 SEAL of Protection)
Redeemed by Margaret Peterson Haddix (#8 Missing)

Rogue by Mark Frost (#3 The Paladin Prophecy)
Ryker by Sawyer Bennett (#4 Cold Fury Hockey)
Seal's Defiance by Elle James (#7 Take No Prisoners)
Stand-Off by Andrew Smith (#2 Winger)
Straight Up by James Lear (#2 Dan Stagg Mystery)
The Devil Wins by Robert B. Parker, Reed Farrel Coleman (#15 Jesse Stone)
The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen (#6 Department Q)
The Keeper by David Baldacci (#2 Finisher)
The Sixth Man by John Feinstein (#2 The Triple Threat)
The Suffering by Rin Chupeco (#2 The Girl from the Well)
Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz (#1 James Bond)

Quick Blog Update ~ Personal Note

Just a note to let you now the blog will be quiet for at least this week. We had a death in the family over the weekend and will be unavailable for a bit.
Stay Safe and those in the States, have a Great Holiday Weekend!