Sunday, February 28, 2010

Fool Moon - Jim Butcher

Fool Moon is book two in the Dresden Files series. This time Harry is up against all four known types of werewolves and discovers a new one in the bargain. He and Murphy are still at odds after the problems in Storm Front, and Harry even becomes a suspect in what the press is calling the lobo killings. Throw in the Chicago mob and Harry has his hands, or paws, full. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Die Trying - Lee Child

Die Trying is a Jack Reacher novel. Somehow I missed this one so I circled back and I'm glad I did. The Jack Reacher series is one you can read out of order without missing too much. This is actually the second novel in the series. Reacher is in the right place at the right time to get kidnapped along with FBI agent Holly Johnson. An FBI agent who just happens to be the daughter of the joint chiefs of staff and the God daughter of the President. Quite a catch. The Montana militia that grabbed them have big plans and Reacher will do his best, and his best is very good, to ruin those plans. Very highly recommended.

Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik

Empire of Ivory is another in the series of Novik books following His Majesty's Dragons. I'm reading out of order again. This is the fourth book in the series about Temeraire and Captain Laurence. In this story they return from their travels and discover that the cold that Temeraire had on their trip to China was actually a virulent disease that is killing the dragons in his majesty's corp. Since Temeraire seemed to shake it off around the coast of Africa, they're bound back to Africa to find out what cured him. The adventures they encounter kept me reading late into the night. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I was very sad at the ending. Novik really leaves you hanging. Now to read book three and then I can read book five. So many books and so little time. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Mom and Dad

Over 60 years as husband and wife. You were the best parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and friends anyone could ask for.

Over 60 years of sleeping in the same bed, holding hands as you kissed over breakfast, and saying your prayers together at night.

Over 60 years of being there for each other through good and bad, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, ecstasy and pain.

Death claimed you separately, eight months apart. Now you'll spend eternity together, sharing over 60 years of memories.

We love you. We miss you. God bless you Mom and Dad.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Leader of the Pack - Karen Macinerney

Leader of the Pack is the third book in the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series. Sophie's Dad shows up after having abandoned her 28 years ago. He manages to alienate Sophie in less than a day. They do manage to reconcile, but in the meantime she has to deal with a demon, some werewolf politics that almost get her killed, and her Dad being on trial for werewolf murder. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Flirt - Laurell K. Hamilton

Flirt is another Anita Blake novel. Hamilton is up to 18 books in this series now and I've read them all. This book is almost retro in that the focus is on Anita's abilities as a necromancer instead of her abilities in bed. I really enjoyed the flow of the book and the twists that kept me reading it. Hamilton can write very well and this is an example of her best. Short but sweet. Highly recommended.

Monday, February 15, 2010

On the Prowl - Karen Macinerney

On the Prowl is the second book in the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series by Macinerney. It's the sequel to Howling at the Moon. In this story Sophie's been spotted by the Houston pack and they've demanded she do some spying for them, get out of Austin, or die. To make her life more interesting she's been tagged by a trio of made werewolvettes to be their alpha, she's been chosen by the Mexican pack of Aztec werewolves as a human sacrifice, and her new client (remember she is an auditor) turns out to be something other than human. Highly recommended.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Played with Fire is the sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. You should really read them in order. You should really read them. In this book the girl, Lisbeth, is truly the focus of the story, and not an intriguing supporting character. She's back from a year of travel just in time to be named as the suspect in a gruesome murder mystery. The mystery revolves around her life in ways that will make you gasp. She needs all her skills, and the help of her unique friends, to fight the forces that are trying to steal her freedom and her very life. Truly amazing story telling. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Fast Track - Fern Michaels

Fast Track is book three in Michaels' Rules of the Game series. This time the vigilantes are tasked with solving the theft of billions from the world bank. They manage to run the obstacle course of the press, the FBI, and home land security. They get the bad guy and induct yet another member into their sisterhood. Highly recommended.

I will admit to getting tired of having to believe some of the miracles that take place around these women. It makes a good story, but I strained my ability to suspend disbelief on this one. The Queen of England gets the entire British embassy in Washington DC to close down in order to provide the sisterhood a place to hide? Right.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Kitty's House of Horrors - Carrie Vaughn

Kitty's House of Horrors is the seventh Kitty Norville book. This time Kitty and some equally supernatural friends are talked into participating in a reality show. The problem is the reality isn't what it they expected. Weres, vampires, and humans with some interesting gifts are all fair game in this reality, and everybody doesn't make it out alive. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Howling at the Moon - Karen Macinerney

Howling at the Moon is yet another werewolf story. It's a tale about a young woman who's managed to suppress her hairy urges most of the time with the help of her gypsy mother. Sophie is an auditor and her Mom is a witch. While she's trying to solve a murder her Mom's accused of, Sophie runs across the trail of another werewolf, and he's handsome enough to take her mind off of her lawyer lover. The problem is he's dating her best friend. This is a somewhat tongue in cheek, convoluted, but interesting story of an urban yuppie werewolf coming to grips with her wild side. The writing reminds me a little of MaryJanice Davidson. Highly recommended.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Divine Misdemeanors - Laurell K. Hamilton

Divine Misdemeanors is the 8th book in the Meredith Gentry series. Merry is back to being a private detective in LA and this novel contains a good detective story. Merry is pregnant with twins but that doesn't slow her down. She's still in the thick of the action. She's called in by the police on the case of a person killing demi-fey and staging the murders to look like fairy tales. There are plenty of interesting characters, lots of magic, and more than enough steamy sex scenes. I miss the old Hamilton who was more interested in plot than in porn. Highly recommended.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Mortal Danger - Eileen Wilks

Mortal Danger is the sequel to Tempting Danger. This time Lily is willing to go through hell to get Rule back after a demon snatches him. Ever wonder where the dragons went? Another page turner. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks

Tempting Danger takes place in a alternate reality where magic is a fact of life and werewolves are legal citizens. Lily Yu is a homicide detective who draws a murder that seems to be a werewolf kill. The main suspect is Rule Turner, the local werewolf prince. If only it was that simple. Lily and Rule have a connection neither anticipated and the evil they end up fighting puts them in deadly danger. This book is based on a short story that I'd read some time ago so reading this felt like déjà vu for a while. Since this book is the first in a series I look forward to reading the rest of them. Highly recommended.